Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, experienced a distressing incident during her second-round match at the WTA 1000 in Dubai against Karolina Muchova. The British tennis player broke down in tears, visibly affected during the match due to an encounter with a man who had previously harassed her.
The incident occurred when Raducanu recognized a man in the crowd who had harassed her days before, leaving her a note and taking photographs of her, which caused distress to the player. Upon noticing the presence of the harasser, Raducanu approached the chair umpire to report the situation and began to cry, leading to the interruption of the match while measures were taken to ensure her safety.
Authorities acted swiftly, detaining the man and expelling him from the venue. Although Raducanu decided not to press formal charges, the harasser committed to staying away from her and was banned from attending future tournaments. Dubai authorities confirmed the arrest and reaffirmed their commitment to the safety of all.
Despite the difficult moment, Raducanu returned to the court and continued the match, although she was ultimately defeated by Muchova. After the match, she thanked those who supported her and praised her opponent's sportsmanship, stating: 'Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport and good luck for the rest of the tournament.'
