Emma Raducanu says she has moved beyond the emotional distress caused by a stalking incident earlier this year, explaining that the experience initially left her in tears during a match at the Dubai Open. Speaking at the National Tennis Centre, the British tennis star shared how the ordeal affected her both on and off the court, and how she has gradually regained confidence in her everyday life.
The incident took place in March, during Raducanu’s second-round match against Karolina Muchova. Only two games into the encounter, she approached the umpire in tears after receiving ongoing unwanted attention from a man she described as “fixated”. The individual had previously approached her twice in different countries before Dubai, and his presence at the tournament left her struggling to see the ball through tears and barely able to breathe. He was eventually ejected from the stands and has been banned from future tennis events, though Raducanu chose not to file charges.
Raducanu admitted that the ordeal initially made her feel as though she needed to hide in public. She often kept her head down when walking through crowds, something she believes contributed to physical discomfort. With time, however, she says she has learned to stop shrinking away from public recognition. She now sees interactions with fans as something positive rather than intimidating, noting that she no longer feels as though she is trying to disappear.
Adjusting to day-to-day life has played a major role in rebuilding her comfort. Raducanu has been commuting by train regularly, often during rush hour. She described the experience as chaotic yet strangely grounding, observing how commuters are absorbed in their own routines. While she sometimes travels with her hood up, she was surprised at how little attention people pay, saying the environment has become a kind of mental escape from the pressures of her profession.
A recent encounter with paparazzi briefly unsettled her again. While in London with two close friends, she was photographed without realising it. The image later appeared in a tabloid, cropped to show only Raducanu and her best friend’s brother, and falsely suggested she was dating him. She said the situation was unsettling, not because of the rumour, but because she had not noticed the photographers at all. Despite this, Raducanu explained she now feels more secure, comforted by knowing she has people around her who look out for her.
Reflecting on the 2025 season, Raducanu said the challenges she faced helped her better understand herself. She acknowledged the difficult period at the start of the year, both personally and professionally, but believes it revealed her resilience. She added that maintaining her well-being now involves deliberate effort, particularly through learning, studying, and giving her mind the same attention she gives to her tennis.
