Emma Raducanu’s coach, Mark Petchey, was left bewildered during her second-round match against Danielle Collins at the 2025 Internationaux de Strasbourg on May 21, when a spectator threw a small stuffed toy onto the court during a changeover, an item Petchey later said “should be confiscated” due to safety concerns. The incident, reported by Tennis.com, occurred in the third set with the score tied at 3-3, as Raducanu, dealing with back spasms, stood near the umpire’s chair. The toy, described as a plush ball, briefly disrupted the match, prompting a warning from the umpire about spectator conduct.
Petchey, speaking post-match, expressed confusion over how the item made it past security, stating, “It’s baffling that something like that gets into the stands. It should be confiscated to prevent distractions or worse.” Raducanu, who lost 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, appeared unfazed during the incident but later noted the chaotic atmosphere, compounded by a separate issue involving a TV cameraman’s “inappropriate” proximity, which Collins confronted. Raducanu told reporters, “It was a strange moment, but I tried to stay focused despite the interruptions.”
The event added to Raducanu’s challenging week, as her back injury flared up, requiring a medical timeout. Fans on X, like @TennisFan123, criticized the lack of crowd control, while others praised Raducanu’s composure. The incident has raised questions about Roland Garros security protocols, especially as Raducanu faces a tough first-round draw against Wang Xinyu and potentially Iga Swiatek, starting May 25, 2025.
