WTA bans spectator after disturbance during Emma Raducanu's match in Dubai

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has issued a ban on a man who displayed "fixated behaviour" toward Emma Raducanu during her match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The individual was removed by security late on Tuesday after disrupting the Briton’s second-round clash against Karolina Muchova.

Raducanu, a former U.S. Open champion, appeared visibly upset as she approached the umpire’s chair during the first set. The match was temporarily paused as she spoke with the official, prompting swift action from tournament organizers. The 22-year-old stood behind the umpire’s chair while security escorted the spectator from the venue.

Despite regaining composure and rallying from a 4-0 deficit to force a tiebreak, Raducanu ultimately fell 7-6(6), 6-4.

The WTA confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, revealing that the same individual had approached Raducanu in a public area a day earlier. "This same individual was identified in the first few rows during Emma’s match on Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and subsequently ejected. He will be banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment," the statement read.

The organization assured that Raducanu’s well-being remains a priority, adding, "The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support. We remain committed to collaborating with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players."

SportsLigue