EMMA RADUCANU has been “wary” when she goes out since her Dubai stalker hell.
The British star, 22, was left in tears on court when an obsessed man appeared at her match-up with Karolina Muchova in Dubai.
The man, who is said to have followed Raducanu 3,600 miles across Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, was subsequently given a restraining order.
Raducanu is now set to play on home soil for the first time since her stalker ordeal, as she competes in the HSBC Championships at Queen’s this week.
Reflecting on what she went through in Dubai, the former US Open champion told the BBC: “I’ve definitely noticed a difference in how people are watching my back when I’m on the site.
“I’m obviously wary when I go out. I try not to be careless about it because you only realise how much of a problem it is when you’re in that situation and I don’t necessarily want to be in that situation again.
“But off the court right now, I feel good. I feel pretty settled. I feel like I have good people around me and anything that was kind of negative I’m just like trying to brush it off as much as I can.”
Raducanu is set to be in action this week as women’s tennis returns to West London’s historic Queen’s Club for the first time since 1973.
The world No37 will take on qualifier Cristina Bucsa in round one on Tuesday.
While she is also set to make a rare foray into doubles, pairing up with GB team-mate Katie Boulter.
Raducanu has been boosted by the return of former coach Nick Cavaday.
The pair temporarily stopped working together earlier this year as Cavaday battled a health issue.
Following a brief stint with Vlado Platenik, Raducanu reunited with another former coach, Mark Petchey.
Ahead of Queen’s, Raducanu confirmed that she will be working with both Cavaday and Petchey moving forward.
She said: “I’m happy to see Nick healthy.
“It’s been a long time since we were last on court together in Australia. Nick was around, and it was nice to just have a few days with him and they’ll both be helping me.
“They both have banks of experience and can complement each other really well. I trust them both and that is fundamental.”
Raducanu, who was beaten in round two of Roland Garros by Iga Swiatek, has played well on the grass in the past – but is not expecting much of herself this time around due to a recent injury scare.
‘MY EXPECTATIONS, TRUTHFULLY, ARE PRETTY LOW’
The British No2 said: “Of course you want to win the tournament, especially when it’s at home.
“But my expectations, truthfully, are pretty low.
“I had two days off after I finished in Paris and then got straight back on the court.
“But I had a small interruption with a back spasm again, so that was a bit annoying and hindered my grass preparation.
“It kept me off court for a few days although the last few days I’ve managed to get on the grass and begin to try and feel my feet.
“So I don’t know how it will hold up. I can’t really predict the future or how it’s going to be.”
Following Queen’s, Raducanu is next scheduled to play in Eastbourne, with the event getting underway on June 23.
She will then head to Wimbledon looking to go on a run, having reached the fourth round last year before agonisingly falling to qualifier Lulu Sun.
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