Emma Raducanu has confirmed her participation in the upcoming WTA tournament at Indian Wells, despite recently experiencing a stalking incident.
The 22-year-old British tennis star was uncertain about traveling to the United States for the prestigious hard-court event, set to begin next week. The former US Open champion was visibly shaken after a man displayed “fixated behavior” toward her during last week’s Dubai Tennis Championships.
The individual was subsequently detained, and Dubai Police issued a restraining order against him. Raducanu was understandably upset when she spotted the man in the stands during her second-round match.
The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, one of the biggest tournaments outside of the four Grand Slams, will kick off on March 5. This renowned Californian event features top-tier men’s and women’s players competing in a combined ATP/WTA tournament that spans two weeks.
Raducanu, currently ranked 55th in the world, secured direct entry into the 128-player women’s singles field for the competition. Last year, she received a wildcard entry as she recovered from wrist and ankle surgeries that sidelined her for much of the 2023 season.
In light of recent events, Raducanu is expected to have increased security during the tournament. The WTA, with a dedicated security division led by former US Secret Service agent Bob Campbell, offers enhanced security measures for players facing credible threats. Typically, players are escorted by security officers to and from their matches.
The incident in Dubai raised important questions regarding the safety protocols in place for athletes. Raducanu noticed the man seated in the first few rows during her match against Karolina Muchova. The day before, the same individual approached Raducanu in a public area near the tournament venue, handing her a letter with his name and phone number and taking a photograph.
Despite Raducanu’s concerns being communicated to the WTA and the tournament’s security team, the man was still able to enter the stadium to watch her play later that evening.
As Raducanu prepares for Indian Wells, the safety of female athletes continues to be a critical topic, emphasizing the need for rigorous security measures at major events.
