In a rather unsettling turn of events, Emma Raducanu found herself shadowed by the same individual across four different tournaments. This persistent follower first showed up at the player hotel in Dubai, just a day before her second-round clash with Karolina Muchova. Approaching her, he handed over a letter and snapped a photo, actions that understandably left Raducanu on edge. She had already noticed him lurking around at earlier tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.
Although she voiced her concerns to someone on her team, the incident wasn’t relayed to the WTA or tournament officials until the next day. This delay left the security team scrambling, with only a handful of hours to bolster security measures.
After taking a much-needed week-long break back in England to recharge, Raducanu made her way to Indian Wells. Reflecting on the ordeal, she admitted, “Those were some of the most emotional weeks I’ve experienced, carrying on for quite a while. It was exhausting, but after a week off, I felt ready to jump back in.”
Her decision to head to Indian Wells, one of the largest tournaments outside of the Grand Slams, turned out to be rejuvenating. Raducanu noticed a significant lift in her spirits upon settling into the sunny surroundings of California.
Set to face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round on Thursday, with the possibility of meeting American third seed Coco Gauff in the second round, Raducanu expressed her contentment with her choice. “This tournament is one of my favorites, and being here has made me feel much better,” she shared. “The appeal of Indian Wells was a major factor in my decision to come. Initially, I wasn’t sure about competing so soon, but arriving here has pleasantly surprised me with how happy I feel.”
