Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have confirmed the arrest of a tourist for harassing British tennis star Emma Raducanu during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The incident, which took place earlier this week, left Raducanu visibly distressed during her match, prompting swift action from Dubai Police.
According to Dubai’s media office, the individual approached Raducanu in a public area, left a note, took a photograph, and exhibited behavior that made her uncomfortable. The player reported the incident, leading to the tourist’s detention. However, after filing a formal complaint, Raducanu later decided to withdraw it. Despite this, the suspect was required to sign a legal commitment to stay away from her and has been banned from attending future tournaments in Dubai.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) also responded decisively, announcing that the man would be barred from attending any of its tournaments worldwide. This follows reports that the individual was seen in the front rows of Raducanu’s match on Tuesday and was later removed from the court.
The incident significantly impacted Raducanu’s performance. During the match against Czech player Karolina Muchova, she was visibly shaken, breaking down in tears as she informed the chair umpire about the situation. She temporarily stepped away from play and stood behind the chair until security escorted the spectator out. Despite regaining composure, Raducanu ultimately lost the match 7-6 (8), 6-4.
This unsettling event highlights the challenges public figures, especially athletes, face regarding personal safety. While tournament security intervened swiftly, the episode raises concerns about ensuring player protection both on and off the court.
