EMMA RADUCANU has opened up on her Dubai stalker hell.
The British tennis star, 22, broke down in tears and hid behind the umpire’s chair after spotting the man during her match with Karolina Muchova last month.
Raducanu had noticed the person exhibiting “fixated behaviour” in the crowd, having also followed her in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha before handing her a letter with personal details and taking a photograph at a cafe on the eve of the match.
Following a week back in the UK, Raducanu has headed to California to play Indian Wells – one of tennis’ biggest events outside the majors.
Speaking ahead of her opening round clash with Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, Raducanu opened up on her worrying experience in Dubai.
She said: “There were two instances and it was the second one that I just got freaked out by.
“The first one was more like a normal fan approaching you, except for the fact he told me he followed me from everywhere.
“And then [he] kind of watched me in the coffee shop for a while… the second incident was really worrying.”
On what later transpired during her match with Muchova, she added: “I was obviously very distraught, like I saw him first game of the match, and I was like, I don’t know how I’m going to finish.
“I literally couldn’t see the ball through the tears. I could barely breathe, like I was playing Karolina who’s, like, top 17 in the world or something. I can’t see the ball.”
Raducanu was watched over by two security guards as she spoke to the press, with protective measures being taken up a notch.
She added: “This is my favourite tournament. If it was another tournament, I’m honestly not sure [I’d be playing], but I’m very happy I made that decision.
“Since being here I have definitely come into myself a lot more and feeling happier, feeling more like myself again.”
On heightened security, she continued: “I’m always with someone who could raise the alarm or could help in a scenario.
“I’m always very aware and very alert and sensitive and don’t really go anywhere on my own. I’m pretty much chaperoned everywhere.”
Raducanu’s stalker was ejected from the stands in Dubai after the world No.55 shouted “here he is” towards her team.
He was subsequently arrested, although Raducanu dropped charges after he signed a restraining order.
The individual has been banned from all WTA events.
Raducanu has been practising with tournament director and ex-pro Tommy Haas at Indian Wells.
Should the world No.55 beat Uchijima, she will set up a mouthwatering round two clash with Coco Gauff.
British No.1 Katie Boulter, who herself was sent threatening messages by a man at the LTA’s Nottingham event, offered words of support for her Billie Jean King Cup team-mate Raducanu.
The 28-year-old said: “She’s such a great young woman, and to see her go through something like that isn’t nice.
“She’s a strong lady and she’ll get through it, but it’s a very uncomfortable feeling to go through something like that and it can make you feel quite insecure.
“It’s not something I wish upon anyone.”
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