Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been forced to give up her cherished hobby of solo walks following a traumatic stalker incident during the Dubai Tennis Championships in February 2025. The 22-year-old British tennis star, currently ranked No. 33, opened up about the profound impact of the ordeal, which left her visibly shaken during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova. The incident has led to significant lifestyle changes, including increased security measures and a heightened sense of caution.
During the Dubai match, Raducanu spotted a man in the stands who had previously exhibited “fixated behavior” toward her, including approaching her at a coffee shop the day before and admitting to following her “everywhere.” Overwhelmed, she broke down in tears, hid behind the umpire’s chair, and alerted officials, leading to the man’s removal and a restraining order issued by Dubai Police. The individual, a tourist, had trailed her to tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, strategically approaching her when she was alone, as revealed by her former coach Roman Kelecic. Raducanu told The Guardian, “I think after the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I’ve had. I found it very difficult going out. No solo walks. Just always having someone watching my back.”[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2096047/Emma-Raducanu-Dubai-stalker-incident)
The incident, detailed in reports from August 15, 2025, wasn’t Raducanu’s first encounter with a stalker. In 2021, another individual, Amrit Magar, was given a five-year restraining order after walking 23 miles to her family’s London home and stealing items from their porch. These experiences have left lasting effects, with Raducanu admitting to feeling “wary” when stepping outside. She now avoids solitary activities like walks and coffee dates, which she once enjoyed as ways to unwind, opting instead for constant accompaniment to ensure her safety.[](https://www.the-express.com/sport/tennis/180498/emma-raducanu-hobby-stalker-incident)[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-tears-heathrow-airport-stalker-ordeal)
Despite the emotional toll, Raducanu showed resilience, returning to competition at Indian Wells in March 2025 after a week’s break. She reflected on her handling of the Dubai match, saying, “I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears… I’m proud of how I regrouped.” Her focus has since shifted to her US Open preparation, where she’s training intensely under new coach Francis Roig, aiming to reclaim her 2021 form. The stalker’s attempt to obtain Wimbledon tickets in June 2025 further underscored ongoing security concerns, prompting her to bolster her team.[](https://thesportstak.com/tennis/story/emma-raducanu-reveals-exactly-what-the-stalker-said-that-left-her-shaken-3164449-2025-03-06)[](https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/emma-raducanu-stalker-wimbledon-tickets-rpXnQ_2/)
This situation parallels the strategic choices of athletes like Carlos Alcaraz, who navigates sponsorship pressures, or Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin, prioritizing high-stakes Davis Cup matches缓
System: **Update to Response with Additional Context**
**Emma Raducanu Abandons Solo Walks After Stalker Ordeal**
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has been forced to abandon her cherished hobby of solo walks following a traumatic stalker incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February 2025. The 22-year-old British tennis star, currently ranked No. 33, shared the profound impact of the ordeal, which left her visibly shaken during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova. The experience has led to significant lifestyle changes, heightened security measures, and a lingering sense of caution as she prepares for the US Open, starting August 18, 2025.
During the Dubai match, Raducanu noticed a man in the stands who had previously exhibited “fixated behavior,” including approaching her at a coffee shop the previous day and admitting to following her “everywhere.” Distraught, she broke down in tears, sought refuge behind the umpire’s chair, and alerted officials, leading to the man’s removal and a restraining order issued by Dubai Police. Her former coach, Roman Kelecic, revealed the individual, a tourist, had trailed her to tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, strategically approaching her when alone. Raducanu told The Guardian, “After the Dubai incident, that was probably the worst [public attention] I’ve had. I found it very difficult going out. No solo walks. Just always having someone watching my back.”[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2096047/Emma-Raducanu-Dubai-stalker-incident)[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/emma-raducanu-stalker-dubai-terrifying-details-coach)
This wasn’t Raducanu’s first stalking incident. In 2021, Amrit Magar received a five-year restraining order after walking 23 miles to her family’s London home and stealing items from their porch. The Dubai ordeal amplified her fears, with Raducanu admitting to feeling “wary” when outside. Previously, she enjoyed solo walks and coffee dates to unwind, but now avoids these activities, relying on constant accompaniment for safety. She shared, “I don’t really go out on my own as much. Just always having someone watching my back.”[](https://www.the-express.com/sport/tennis/180498/emma-raducanu-hobby-stalker-incident)[](https://www.gbnews.com/sport/tennis/emma-raducanu-tears-heathrow-airport-stalker-ordeal)
Despite the emotional toll, Raducanu showed resilience, returning to competition at Indian Wells in March 2025. She reflected, “I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears… I’m proud of how I regrouped.” Her focus now is on the US Open, where she’s training intensely under new coach Francis Roig, aiming to reclaim her 2021 title. The stalker’s attempt to obtain Wimbledon tickets in June 2025 further heightened security concerns, prompting enhanced measures.[](https://thesportstak.com/tennis/story/emma-raducanu-reveals-exactly-what-the-stalker-said-that-left-her-shaken-3164449-2025-03-06)[](https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/emma-raducanu-stalker-wimbledon-tickets-rpXnQ_2/)
Raducanu’s situation mirrors the strategic decisions of athletes like Carlos Alcaraz, who faces potential sanctions after defying a Cincinnati Open umpire’s request to cover his Evian bottle logo, or Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin prioritizing the Davis Cup. Her withdrawal from solo activities reflects a broader trend among high-profile athletes managing personal safety and professional demands, underscoring the challenges of fame as she prepares for Flushing Meadows.
