Luke Littler Speaks on Pressures of Fame Amid Emma Raducanu Stalking Incident
Darts star Luke Littler has opened up about the pressures of being a young athlete in the public eye following Emma Raducanu’s recent stalking ordeal.
Raducanu reportedly encountered a stranger who handed her a letter while she was leaving her hotel room at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The same individual was later seen in the crowd during her second-round match against Karolína Muchová, triggering an emotional response from the British tennis star. She broke down in tears on the court before approaching the chair umpire to explain the situation.
On Thursday, it was revealed that the man had been issued a restraining order, with Raducanu opting to drop all charges.
Both Littler and Raducanu understand the challenges of being young prodigies thrust into the limelight, having gained widespread attention as teenagers. In the wake of Raducanu’s unsettling experience, Littler reflected on the difficulties of dealing with intense public scrutiny and fan behavior.
Speaking to The Daily Mirror, the reigning darts world champion shared his perspective:
“Fans wait for us, they find out where we’re staying. They want pictures and things like that. But when you’re getting stalked and followed, that’s a different level. We all know we can’t take pictures with everyone, but following people—it crosses a line.”
Raducanu has previously acknowledged Littler’s rise in the world of darts. After he was crowned world champion earlier this year, she expressed admiration for his achievements:
“Amazing respect to him. I’d love to meet any top athletes who have succeeded in their fields. Darts is such a precision sport, and I’d be really keen to hear his insights on focus and execution, which are crucial in tennis as well.”
Following the incident in Dubai, Raducanu took to social media to thank her fans for their support. She also spoke of her pride in returning to the court to finish the match, despite the distressing circumstances. The 2021 US Open champion ultimately fell to Muchová, losing 6-7 (6-8), 4-6.
