Emma Raducanu Reveals Lasting Impact Of Uncomfortable Stalking Incident
NewsTuesday, 10 June 2025 at 12:20
Emma Raducanu has opened up about being stalked earlier this season, admitting that she found it hard to move on from the moment.
During Raducanu's match at the 2025 Dubai Championships against Karolina Muchova, she suddenly stopped playing and pointed to someone in the crowd. The emotional 22-year-old then hid behind the umpire's chair.
It was later revealed that the man causing Raducanu distress had stalked her at the Abu Dhabi Open and Qatar Open before following her to Dubai to make it three consecutive tournaments.
Raducanu ultimately decided to drop charges against the stalker after he received a restraining order. Hopefully, he will abide by it and never attempt to go near the Briton again.
The BBC interviewed Raducanu before her appearance at this week's 2025 Queen's Club Championships. She said the stalking occurring so soon after her coach Nick Cavaday left his position made the situation even harder to manage.
"Yeah, I think it was difficult. I think it was probably emphasized by the fact I didn't necessarily feel set and comfortable in my own set up and team, it just added to the anxious feeling."
Raducanu admitted that she is more cautious when going out than in the past, and takes precautions to avoid being stalked again after experiencing how scary it can be.
"Now, I'm obviously wary when I go out. I try not to be careless about it, because you only realize how much of a problem it is when you are in that situation, and I don't necessarily want to be in that situation again."
Raducanu has worked with Mark Petchey, who coached her and Andy Murray in the past, on a part-time basis since April. She will work with Petchey and former coach Cavaday during the grass-court swing.
Although some feel Raducanu needs a new permanent coach to move forward, the WTA star says she is feeling happy and settled with her current team for the grass-court tournaments and wants to move on from the past.
"Off the court right now, I feel good. I feel pretty settled, I feel I've got good people around me. Anything that was negative, I'm just trying to brush it off as much as I can."
Raducanu's run to the 2025 Miami Open quarterfinal in March was even more impressive considering what she went through the previous month in Dubai and that it took her a while to process being stalked.
The Briton's achievement in Miami proved what she is capable of. Raducanu's results on clay were okay without being spectacular, but the 22-year-old probably has much higher hopes for the grass-court season on home soil.
When Raducanu's game clicks on grass, it can trouble the best players in the world. She has twice been to the fourth round of Wimbledon, including last year, and was also among the semifinalists at the 2024 Nottingham Open.
Her playing style is suited to grass, and even better results are possible in the future. She and Katie Boulter, another very good grass-court player, will try to bring glory to British tennis fans during the next few weeks.
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