Emma Raducanu said she “couldn’t see the ball through tears” after seeing a stalwart in the crowd at the Dubai Open last month.
The 22-year-old man said that she could “barely breathe afterwards” Receive repeated unwanted attention of a man showing ‘fixed behavior’ among the crowds.
The British star was left in tears when she went up to the referee after the second game of her second round.
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Raducanu in tears after man approaches her
“Of course, I was very scared,” she told reporters.
“I saw him in the first game of the game, and I was, I don’t know how I’m going to finish. I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe.
“I was like, I just have to breathe here.”
The man was removed from the tennis court by security but Raducanu Lose the second round collision with 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to 14th seed Karolina Muchova.
A day earlier, the man handed the star a letter.
She later chose not to push charges but the individual was given a restriction order. He is also banned from future tournaments.
Raducanu said she was previously approached twice by the man outside the court.
Dubai -incident is not the first time Raducanu has been targeted by a stalwart. Photo: Aeltc/PA
“It was a very emotional time,” Raducanu said.
“After the game, I broke down in tears, but not necessarily because I lost.
“There has been just as much emotion in the last few weeks of events, and I just needed the week to breathe and get here. I feel much better. ‘
The former US Open champion spoke in Indian Wells before the start of the BNP Paribas – where she will play for the first time since her ordeal.
She told Sky Sports: ‘I’m very happy to be in Indian Wells. This is my favorite tournament outside the Slams … and I think I feel much better here.
“I wasn’t necessarily sure if I would compete in Dubai so soon, but I’m glad I made the decision to come here. I like to be here and I’m happy on the court. ‘
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This is not the first time Raducanu has been targeted by a stalwart. An obsessive fan received a restriction order in 2022 after she came to her home three times.
Raducanu will face three places above her in the first round in California, Raducanu, Moyuka Uchijima. The winner will face the third seed Coco GAFF.
