Emma Raducanu forced to give up favourite hobby after harrowing stalker incident

Emma Raducanu has opened up on the effects of a distressing incident with a stalker in Dubai earlier this year. The British No. 1 burst into tears and hid behind the umpire's chair early in her second-round match against Karolina Muchova.

A man who had "exhibited fixated behaviour" during a previous interaction with Raducanu was subsequently removed from the stands and given a restraining order by Dubai police. Since then, the 22-year-old has been forced to give up some of her favourite off-court pastimes, including going on solo walks.

Earlier this year, before the incident in Dubai, Raducanu said she had learned to love spending time alone, going on many "solo walks, solo coffee dates". The world No. 39 also switches off by going on hikes and taking yoga classes.

Unfortunately, that was forced to change after her encounter with the fixated fan in Dubai. It later emerged that the man in question had also followed her in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, and chose moments to approach her when she was alone.

Now, the former US Open champion has been forced to give up her alone time, admitting that someone was always "watching her back".

Raducanu told the Guardian: "I think after the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I've had. I remember straight afterwards, I found it very difficult going out.

"I definitely had a bit of a leftover lag effect. But I've been a lot more astute, a lot more, I'd say, safe and have someone with me. I don't really go out on my own as much. No solo walks. Just always having someone watching my back."

Raducanu went on to lose that match to Muchova in Dubai. She flew home and didn't play again until Indian Wells in March.

Dubai Police issued a statement saying: "Following Raducanu's complaint, Dubai Police detained a tourist who approached her, left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behaviour that caused her distress.

"While Raducanu later chose to drop the charges, the individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments."

When she returned to action, Raducanu admitted she had increased her security and become more vigilant. And she's still taking extra caution.

The incident in Dubai wasn't Raducanu's first brush with a stalker. A separate man was arrested and handed a five-year restraining order after walking 23 miles to Raducanu's family home and stealing items from her front porch in 2021.

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