A man was ejected from the Dubai Tennis Championships after displaying "fixated behavior" towards British tennis player Emma Raducanu. The incident unfolded on Tuesday during Raducanu's match against Karolina Muchová. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) stated that the individual would be banned from all WTA events pending a thorough threat assessment.
The unsettling situation began on Monday when the man approached Raducanu in a public area. His presence was noted again on Tuesday, sitting conspicuously in the first few rows during her match. This inappropriate behavior culminated in Raducanu appearing visibly emotional, at one point hiding behind the umpire's chair.
“He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment,” – WTA
During the match, Raducanu initially trailed Muchová 4-0 in the first set but staged a strong comeback to narrow the gap to 5-4. The game was briefly paused as Muchová, leading 2-0 in the first set at the time of the incident, approached Raducanu to offer comfort. The match resumed shortly thereafter, with Raducanu securing a first-set tie-break to level the contest.
Despite Raducanu's efforts, Muchová regained momentum by breaking Raducanu's serve early in the second set, ultimately winning the match and advancing to the third round. Muchová will face McCartney Kessler, who defeated Coco Gauff on Tuesday, in her next match. Raducanu, meanwhile, is set to compete against Kessler as her opponent in the subsequent round.
The WTA emphasized their commitment to player safety and ensuring a secure environment at tournaments worldwide.
“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events,” – WTA
The governing body is working closely with Emma Raducanu and her team to provide any necessary support and ensure her well-being following the incident.
“The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support. We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players.” – WTA
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