Emma Raducanu's Stalker Makes Another Move But Gets Stopped By Wimbledon

Emma Raducanu could have endured another upsetting ordeal had the security system for buying 2025 Wimbledon tickets not been working correctly.

Raducanu was stalked during the Middle Eastern swing in February. The man responsible followed her from the Abu Dhabi Open to the Qatar Open and then to the Dubai Championships, engaging in what the WTA later called "fixated behavior."

The stalker's behavior came to light when he attended Raducanu's match in Dubai against Karolina Muchova. She suddenly stopped playing and became visibly upset after spotting the man in the stands.

Raducanu hid behind the umpire's chair until the security eventually took him away. Muchova showed class by comforting the Briton until he was gone and play resumed. The Czech ultimately won the match.

After initially considering criminal charges against the stalker, Raducanu eventually decided to drop them in exchange for him being given a restraining order to keep him away from the former world No. 10.

In an interview before last week's WTA Queen's Club Championships, Raducanu admitted that being stalked took her a while to get over, and she was now more aware of potential threats. However, the 22-year-old also said she wanted to move on from the matter.

Unfortunately for the 2021 US Open champion, the stalker made headlines again when the BBC revealed that he tried to apply for 2025 Wimbledon tickets. The season's third Grand Slam begins on June 30th.

Thankfully, Wimbledon's security systems worked efficiently and did not allow him any opportunity to attend the grass-court event. His presence could have led to an unpleasant incident that would take the attention away from the excellent tennis that is played at SW19 next year.

The man almost certainly did not apply for tickets to watch without ill intent. His previous actions have proven he is a danger to Raducanu, and all precautions need to be taken to keep him away from her.

This story reminds us of the dangers that tennis players, especially female ones, face when traveling around the world. Raducanu's stalking is scary, but sadly, she is not the only one to experience it.

Earlier this year, Coco Gauff revealed that she noticed the same people would appear when she was at different airports worldwide. The recent Roland Garros champion did not know how they had access to her travel and flight plans.

Players also have to deal with disgusting online abuse from those who bet on the sport. Jessica Pegula was the latest to show some of the sick messages she received after losing to Lois Boisson at Roland Garros.

Hopefully, Raducanu can enjoy playing at her home Grand Slam without having to worry about the idiot who stalked her or anyone else. A few weeks after Wimbledon, she will feature in the new 2025 US Open mixed doubles event.

Carlos Alcaraz was confirmed as Raducanu's partner for the mixed doubles. That announcement caused much excitement, and fans will undoubtedly flock to see two of the sport's most prominent young stars playing together.