It’s been a tough week for the British star Emma Raducanu. After early exits in the Middle East, a terrifying experience mid-match put her title hopes on hold. On February 19, Raducanu stopped her match against Karolina Muchova, in tears, pointing out a fan exhibiting “fixated” behavior. This unnerving incident brought player security to the forefront as the individual was escorted out of the stadium. While fans showed their concern for the player’s well-being, this marked Raducanu’s second stalking encounter since 2022. That previous stalker received a restraining order for walking miles to her home and leaving unwanted gifts. Now, Raducanu’s team is shedding light on this latest ordeal.

Speaking to the Croatian news outlet Net, her former fitness coach who was most recently seen in Abu Dhabi, Roman Kelecic, opened up about the tense situation that unfolded during her recent match. He recalled the moment when Emma, visibly shaken, sought refuge behind the umpire’s chair after bringing attention to a troubling presence in the crowd. Kelecic shared his concern, stating, “This man followed her to Singapore, to Abu Dhabi where I was with her, again in Doha, now in Dubai and we noticed him.” The coach has been with Raducanu since she was a junior and has practically watched the player grow along with the rest of her team.

Initially, they mistook him for a devoted fan. “But initially we thought he was a fan, an admirer, because Emma is a really big tennis star with a huge fan base,” he added. Raducanu’s approachable nature endears her to many, evident in her 2.6 million Instagram followers. At 22, her youthful spirit resonates with fans. However, this fan’s admiration crossed a line.

This particular fan took ‘fangirling’ to another level. As Kelecic observed, he detailed how the stalker had been following Emma Raducanu since Singapore. Kelecic noted the first encounter occurred when Raducanu was alone, without him or security. “So, that man was assessing the situation and looking for the best moment to get closer to her. He had a strategy that was terrifying; he thought everything through, calculated it,” Roman remarked.

Following the incident, the WTA banned the individual from future events. They also emphasized enhanced security measures, noting that player safety was their “top priority.” Additionally, players like Iga Swiatek have voiced support for this decision, sharing her own experiences with unsettling fan interactions.

Iga Swiatek supports the WTA’s decision amidst Emma Raducanu’s terrifying fan experience

Speaking with The National on February 19, the World No.2 voiced her approval of the WTA’s swift action, stating, “I know the WTA banned this person from going on-site anywhere on any tournament. So I guess the reaction was pretty solid. I like that because it’s WTA’s responsibility to keep us safe.” Swiatek also shared her own unnerving experience from a 2022 charity event in Poland, highlighting the need for constant vigilance.

Adding to the conversation, Mirra Andreeva revealed the disturbing reality of online threats faced by players, a near-daily occurrence fueled by disgruntled sports bettors. Andreeva recounted a chilling message she received at just 14: “Look around because I’m going to find you and I’m going to cut your arms.” Despite these challenges, she feels safe at tournaments due to the security measures in place.

Despite the ordeal, Raducanu took to Instagram to thank fans and commend Muchova’s sportsmanship. “Thank you for the messages of 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,” she wrote. As Raducanu processes this incident, the tennis community stands united in support, hoping to see her return to the court stronger than ever. Swiatek’s words echo the sentiment: “I’m sure it must have been tough for Emma.” Only time will tell if Raducanu will triumph over this adversity.