Emma Raducanu Overcome by Distress in Dubai Match Loss

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Emma Raducanu was eliminated from the Dubai Tennis Championships after a distressing incident during her match against Karolina Muchova on February 18. The British player appeared visibly upset when a man displaying “fixated behaviour” was ejected from the venue shortly after the match began.

The unsettling incident occurred when Raducanu, who was already trailing 2-0 in the first set, recognized the man—who had approached her in a public area just a day before. Security personnel removed him from the stands at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships following her report.

“On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour,” a statement from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) read. “This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday and subsequently ejected. He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.”

Raducanu fought through her emotions but ultimately fell to Muchova in straight sets, losing 7-6 (6), 6-4. Despite a poor start, where she lost the first four games of the match, Raducanu mounted a comeback to force a tightly contested first set tie-break.

Raducanu’s distress was evident as she approached the umpire’s chair in tears. Muchova, displaying sportsmanship, comforted her before the match resumed, receiving applause from the audience. The swift intervention by tournament officials highlighted the WTA’s commitment to player safety, which they reiterated following the incident.

“Player safety is our top priority,” the WTA stated. “We are actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support.”

This is not the first time Raducanu has dealt with unsettling fan behavior. In 2022, a stalker was ordered to stay away from her after traveling to her house in London. The latest incident prompted discussions on how to better protect players in international sports venues.

As the match progressed, Raducanu showed resilience, breaking back after falling behind early in the first set. She saved two set points before the tie-break but ultimately lost it 8-6. The second set began similarly, with Raducanu getting broken early and struggling to take advantage of three break points in a pivotal sixth game.

Muchova, currently ranked 17th in the world, will advance to face American McCartney Kessler, who previously eliminated world No. 3 Coco Gauff from the tournament.

In other matches, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-4, while Iga Swiatek, ranked second, dominated Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-2. Rain delays had caused multiple disruptions throughout the day’s matches, impacting players significantly.

Despite this setback, Raducanu is scheduled to participate in the inaugural HSBC Championships at Queen's Club in London, marking the return of women’s professional tennis to the venue for the first time in over fifty years, starting June 7. Aside from Raducanu, notable players such as Madison Keys, Naomi Osaka, and Daria Kasatkina are expected to join the event.