Female tennis players have voiced their concerns about safety and online threats following Emma Raducanu’s unsettling courtside incident in Dubai.
Raducanu appeared visibly distressed during her second-round loss to Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Tennis Championships after noticing a man in the crowd displaying ‘fixated behavior.’
The individual was later removed from the stands, and it was revealed that he had also approached her at her hotel the previous day.
Following the incident, Raducanu shared a brief message on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support from fans and affirming her determination to move past the ‘difficult experience.’
This alarming event has once again highlighted the broader issue of security for elite female athletes, both at sporting events and online.
Raducanu has faced similar challenges in the past. In 2022, Amrit Magar was convicted of stalking her and received a five-year restraining order after walking 23 miles to her home.
A court was told that the incident left Raducanu feeling unsafe, constantly looking over her shoulder, and uneasy in her own home.
In light of the latest episode, several other players have come forward with their own stories.
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek recalled a frightening encounter with a fan during a tournament in her home country of Poland.
‘We were able to avoid one incident that might have been scary back in the day when I was hosting my own event in Poland,’ Swiatek recalled.
‘There are fans that are kind of, I don’t know, everywhere. But I’m pretty sure that they don’t have any bad intentions.
‘Obviously we are public persons, so we should always keep our eyes open and be ready to react if we feel uncomfortable. I’m sure it must have been tough for Emma.’
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who is set to face Swiatek in the Dubai quarter-finals, revealed that she has been subjected to graphic threats online following her losses.
‘After every loss I think every player receives a bunch of hateful messages,’ Andreeva revealed.
‘I remember once when I was young, when I was 14 years old, I was playing one of my first ITF tournaments and I received a message after my loss that said: ‘Look around because I’m going to find you and I’m going to cut your arms’.
‘That was still the one that I remember to this day.’
Mirra Andreeva opens up on trauma of being threatened to have her arms cut
Mirra Andreeva expressed sympathy for Emma Raducanu, revealing that she received a disturbing message three years ago that has stayed with her ever since.
Following Raducanu’s unsettling encounter with a stalker at both her hotel and on the court, WTA officials and security in Dubai swiftly identified, removed, and banned the individual from the venue.
The incident has reignited discussions about player safety on the tour.
While many players have praised the WTA’s efforts in protecting them, social media abuse remains a serious concern.
Reflecting on Raducanu’s experience, Andreeva recalled receiving a chilling threat from someone telling her to “cut your arms.”
“Of course, after every loss I think every player receives a bunch of hateful messages,” the Russian, who turns 18 in April, said in Dubai.
“I remember once when I was young, when I was 14 years old, I was playing one of my first ITF tournaments.
“And I received a message after my loss which said: ‘Look around, because I’m going to find you and I’m going to cut your arms.’
“That was still the one that I remember until today.”
The WTA remains ‘committed’ to protecting players
After the man attempted to deliver a letter to Raducanu at her hotel, officials were alerted, preventing him from reaching her.
However, he later showed up to watch Raducanu’s match against Karolina Muchova.
That was when security intervened and took decisive action.
“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events,” the WTA said after the Raducanu 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.”
