Authorities in Dubai say they detained a tourist who caused tennis player Emma Raducanu distress by exhibiting fixated behavior” during her match at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The man, who was not identified, had left Raducanu a note and took her photograph during the tournament.
During her second-round match against Karolina Muchova on Tuesday, Raducanu saw the man in the stands. Raducanu was later seen behind the umpire’s chair and in tears.
“The individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments,” Dubai’s media office said in the statement. “Dubai remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the emirate.”
The media office said that the 22-year-old Raducanu later chose to drop the charges, the individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments.
Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, lost the match 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 to Muchova but later issued a statement on social media saying she would be OK.
The Women’s Tennis Association also said the man was ejected from the tournament and banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment.