Raducanu reduced to tears by spectator mid-match in Dubai; WTA issues statement
A man exhibiting “fixated behaviour” towards Emma Raducanu at Dubai Open was removed from the stands after the Brit reported him to the official during her second-round battle with Karolina Muchova
Zuma / Panoramic
Britain’s Emma Raducanu had a meltdown midway through her second-round battle with Czechia’s Karolina Muchova at the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Wednesday as a spectator disturbed her from the stands.
Raducanu, reduced to tears by the spectator’s behaviour, approached the chair umpire, who ultimately had the man removed from the Aviation Club Tennis Centre—home to the WTA 1000 event.
The former US Open champion later gathered herself and returned to business but ended on the wrong side of a 7-6 (6), 6-4 outcome.
Following the incident, the WTA issued a statement, revealing the same man had approached Raducanu in public a couple of days ago.
“On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behavior,” the WTA wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected. He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.
“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events. 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.”
Raducanu has yet to comment on the situation.
