Emma Raducanu Faces Security Challenges Ahead of BNP Paribas Open

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Emma Raducanu affirmed her commitment to tennis despite recent challenges surrounding her safety. The British tennis star, set to compete at the BNP Paribas Open, expressed her relief after feeling better following a disturbing incident during her last match in Dubai.

Raducanu spoke with reporters, recounting her emotional distress caused by a spectator who was removed for exhibiting fixated behavior towards her during her second-round match against Karolina Muchová. “I’m here because I feel a lot better now,” she said. “A lot happened obviously after Dubai, so I just needed to kind of take my time after.” She described the allure of participating in her favorite tournament as too strong to resist, making a last-minute decision to play just a day prior to her departure from London.

Given the recent incidents, security personnel accompanied Raducanu during her time at the tournament. “The security is very important,” she stated, emphasizing her increased awareness and caution. “I’m always, and now even more so, very aware and very alert.” She said that after such incidents, she opts not to go anywhere alone.

Raducanu’s experience in Dubai was particularly distressing. After the man approached her, she felt overwhelmed during the match. “I literally couldn’t see the ball through the tears, I could barely breathe,” Raducanu recalled. Despite the emotional turmoil, she managed to continue playing but ultimately lost the match 7-6 (6), 6-4. “It was a very emotional time and after the match I did completely break down in tears,” she explained.

This was not the first time Raducanu faced such a situation; in 2022, an obsessive fan visited her family home in London, resulting in a restraining order. Reflecting on her current mindset, Raducanu noted, “In Dubai, I was alone and in a different country, so I felt a lot more vulnerable.”

Now, as she prepares for her match against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, ranked 52nd in the world, Raducanu is attempting to find solace in the support she receives from fans. “All the positive support that I get from my fans and like so much love… it’s been great,” she stated. The match on Thursday presents an opportunity for her to regain her footing in the competition, facing formidable opponents as she progresses through the tournament.

Despite the emotional toll of recent events, Raducanu remains determined to reclaim her focus and enjoys the competition, surrounded by improved security measures for her safety.