Emma Raducanu is back smiling on court two weeks after ‘fixated stalker’ ordeal in Dubai – as Brit prepares to return to action at Indian Wells
Emma Raducanu All Smiles as She Prepares for Indian Wells Return After Dubai Ordeal
Emma Raducanu was seen smiling on court as she prepares to make her comeback at Indian Wells next week, following a distressing experience at the Dubai Open last month.
Overcoming a Traumatic Incident
The 22-year-old Brit has not played since a terrifying encounter with a stalker in Dubai. A man exhibiting fixated behavior approached Raducanu near her hotel, handed her a letter with his contact details, and took a photo of her. When he appeared in the crowd during her match, Raducanu became visibly distressed, breaking down in tears and hiding behind the umpire’s chair before he was removed by security.
Local police detained the man, who was later banned from future tournaments after signing a restraining order. Raducanu chose to drop formal charges but has since taken time to recover at home in London.
Security Measures at Indian Wells
As Raducanu prepares to return, tournament organizers have taken extra precautions to ensure her safety. She will be provided with up to five security officers to escort her around the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Palm Springs, California.
The official BNP Paribas Open X account shared photos of Raducanu on Friday, showing her smiling and laughing during a practice session—a reassuring sign for her fans. One image featured her alongside Tommy Haas, former German pro and current Indian Wells Tournament Director.
A Fresh Start on the Tour
Despite her unsettling experience, Raducanu remains determined to play a fuller schedule this season. This will be her sixth tournament of the year, a significant increase compared to just three at this point in 2024. Ranked No. 55, she gained direct entry into the draw, which takes place on Monday, with her first match set for Wednesday or Thursday.
Raducanu continues her search for a new coach and has been joined in Indian Wells by fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura and coach Tom Welsh, who previously worked as a hitting partner for Leylah Fernandez—Raducanu’s opponent in the 2021 US Open final. Welsh is understood to be a temporary appointment for this tournament only.
Swift Action Following the Dubai Incident
Authorities responded promptly to Raducanu’s complaint in Dubai, ensuring the individual was detained and banned from future events. Within hours of the incident, his name was passed on to Wimbledon officials, who placed him on their watchlist.
Raducanu herself addressed the situation in an Instagram post, thanking fans for their support:
“Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match. Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”
Now, with her focus back on tennis, Raducanu is ready to put the Dubai ordeal behind her and compete at one of the biggest non-Grand Slam events of the season.
