Emma Raducanu praises Wimbledon for ‘amazing job’ of blocking stalker

Emma Raducanu had been followed by a stalker to WTA events in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 24, 2025, 02:05 PM

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LONDON – Emma Raducanu said she felt reassured about her safety after Wimbledon prevented a man who had been stalking her from buying tickets for the Grand Slam that begins on June 30.

The former US Open champion had been followed by the man to WTA events in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Doha earlier in 2025 and she broke down in tears after noticing him during one of her matches at the Dubai Championships in February.

The man was given a restraining order by Dubai police and banned from all Tour events but officials at Wimbledon, which is organised by the All England Club, had to block him following a sweep of the public ballot applicants.

“Wimbledon and everyone did an amazing job,” Raducanu told the BBC.

“I got a notification, the police contacted me and told me everything was OK.

“I know that I’m not the first athlete to go through this, and I probably won’t be the last – not just as an athlete, but females in general.”

The 22-year-old, who had not yet been born when then world No. 1 Monica Seles was stabbed in the back by a fan at an event in 1993, said she felt much safer with extra security at events.

“I have a lot more protection around me – especially the ones here in the UK, where it’s busy and there’s more spectators around. I feel a difference, and that reassures me and makes me feel more comfortable,” she added.

Raducanu also praised British No. 2 Katie Boulter for sharing her experience of online abuse.

“I try and not read the comments or look at the messages because it makes you upset,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter how many positive comments you read, you are always going to remember the more negative ones – so I just try and stay away.”

Meanwhile in tennis action this week, former world No. 1s Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka both advanced to the second round in the Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Bad Homburg on June 23.

Japan’s Osaka battled past Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-4) as Belarusian Azarenka beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-2, 6-2.

Osaka fired 16 aces with Danilovic hitting 10 in a big-serving battle which lasted just over two hours.

“It’s my first grass-court win of the year, so I’m really excited about that,” said the Japanese, a wildcard to the main draw. “I think I have potential (on grass), but everyone else is also really good.

“I can never take it for granted, the wins. Just super excited that I won today.”

The victory halts Osaka’s three-match losing streak after Rome, the French Open and Berlin as she continues her comeback from maternity leave last year. REUTERS, AFP

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