At the upcoming event, Raducanu is expected to be accompanied by heightened security. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which has its own security team headed by Bob Campbell, a former US Secret Service agent, is prepared to offer additional safety measures should there be a real threat against a player.
Typically, players are accompanied by at least one security officer when moving to and from the match courts. However, the incident that transpired in Dubai brought the effectiveness of these security protocols into question.
During her match against Karolina Muchova, Raducanu noticed a man sitting a few rows from the front, someone she had encountered a day earlier in a public area near the tournament venue. This man approached her and handed over a letter, as reported by the police. The letter, sources informed BBC Sport, contained his personal details including his name and phone number, and he also took a photograph of her.
Raducanu, understandably concerned, reported the situation to the WTA, who then alerted the tournament’s security staff to remain vigilant. Despite these heightened precautions, the man was still able to enter the small stadium where Raducanu played later that evening.
