Emma Raducanu Makes Worrying Confession on Her Personal Activities After Dubai Stalking Incident

Emma Raducanu is still not fully over the traumatizing Dubai stalker incident that happened in February, this year.

Emma Raducanu Makes Worrying Confession on Her Personal Activities After Dubai Stalking Incident

Emma Raducanu (Image via X/British Tennis Players)

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In February, during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai, Emma Raducanu experienced a distressing incident that drew widespread attention online. She spotted a person who had approached her a few days earlier and became visibly shaken, retreating behind the umpire’s chair in tears. Tournament officials quickly intervened, and the WTA issued a ban preventing that individual from attending any future events.

Speaking to The Guardian, the world No. 39 reflected on the incident and revealed that its impact remains significant. She admitted that the emotional effects have not fully faded, and the experience continues to weigh on her. The episode highlighted the importance of player safety and the challenges athletes can face off the court. Raducanu said:

I think after the Dubai incident, it was probably the worst [public attention] I’ve ever had. I remember immediately afterward, I had a really hard time going out. I definitely still had a little bit of after-effects. But I’ve become a lot more cautious, a lot more, I would say, cautious, and I make sure I have someone with me. I don’t go out alone as much anymore. I don’t go for walks alone anymore. I always have someone looking out for me.

Despite this unsettling moment, Raducanu has been making strides in her game. Her recent performances have shown clear signs of progress, with more consistency and confidence in her play. She has been competing well against top-ranked opponents, indicating a steady climb back toward her best form.

This improvement was evident at Wimbledon and again at the Cincinnati Open, where she pushed world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to the limit in both meetings. While the emotional scars from Dubai remain, Raducanu’s resilience on court suggests she is determined to move forward and keep building momentum in her career.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner might skip US Open mixed doubles

The US Open mixed doubles event is already facing several big-name withdrawals, with more expected due to the tight schedule following this week’s Cincinnati tournament. The Cincinnati Masters, the final major event before the year’s last Grand Slam, will conclude on Monday under the extended ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 format. This longer schedule began after extended tournaments in Canada, disrupting the traditional weekend finishes for these key warm-up events.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Sinner Times)

Although the travel from Cincinnati to New York is minimal for seasoned players, those reaching the finals may face a tough choice. Playing a physically demanding match on Monday could leave little time to recover before the mixed doubles begins at the US Open on Wednesday.

Carlos Alcaraz is set to partner with Emma Raducanu, and Jannik Sinner is paired with American Emma Navarro. However, if Alcaraz and Sinner meet in another intense Cincinnati final, they may reconsider their participation.

Any rain delays in Cincinnati would make the situation more difficult, potentially forcing the withdrawal of top players from the mixed doubles draw. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek could also face a quick turnaround if her Cincinnati run continues. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff has already opted out of the mixed doubles, focusing entirely on preparing for her singles campaign at Flushing Meadows, which starts the following week.

Julian Cash’s coach, Barry Fulcher, has previously predicted a wave of withdrawals from the mixed doubles this year. He argued that the current competition format should not award a Grand Slam title, suggesting the event’s prestige outweighs its scheduling practicality. With the US Open looming, player priorities appear to be shifting toward singles success and avoiding burnout.

Emma Raducanu shows progression in alternative rankings

British star Emma Raducanu’s recent resurgence has been underlined by her return to the top 10 in the alternative tennis rankings. Over the past couple of months, she has delivered strong results on both clay and grass, followed by a semi-final appearance at the WTA 500 event in Washington. Her form carried into the Cincinnati Open, where she reached the third round and pushed world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to a deciding-set tie-break in a thrilling contest.

Emma Raducanu (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Emma Raducanu (via X/The Tennis Letter)

That performance further cemented Raducanu’s growing presence in the women’s game. The 2021 US Open champion now sits inside the top 10 of the UTR Rankings, which focus on a player’s recent performances rather than results from up to a year ago. While she has yet to consistently beat top-10 opponents, her competitiveness has noticeably improved ahead of this year’s US Open.

The UTR Rankings system was designed to promote fair and competitive play worldwide, rating players from 1.00 to 16.50 based on actual match outcomes. It is open to all players, regardless of age, gender, location, or skill level. This approach allows the rankings to reflect current form more accurately than traditional points-based systems.

Wins against higher-ranked opponents carry greater weight in UTR than in the official WTA or ATP standings. As a result, the system often provides a sharper picture of who is performing best in the moment. For Raducanu, her rise in these rankings is a clear sign that she is regaining momentum at the top level of the sport.

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