- Raducanu, 22, was reduced to shrink behind the referee's chair in a match
- She saw a man who had previously exhibited obsessed behavior 'towards her
- In social networks, fans compared the incident with the stabbing of Monica Seles in the Court
Concerned tennis fans have compared the incident that saw Emma Raducanu reduced to tears in the Dubai open to Monica Seles stabbed on the court on her match against Steffi Graff 31 years ago.
During his second -round draw against Karolina Muchva, Raducanu, 22, was reduced to shrink behind the referee's chair in the Dubai Open after he saw a man who had previously exhibited an obsessed behavior 'towards her sitting in The stands.
The former British No1 stirred in the first set of his confrontation on Tuesday night and 2-0 against Muchva, he was seen crying and cleaning his face with a towel during the break in the game.
In distressing scenes, Raducanu spoke with the referee and then seemed to hide behind the referee's chair, and then was comforted by his opponent.
In reaction to the incident on social networks, tennis fans generated similarities between the case in the stabbing of Dubai and Monica Seles in court on April 30, 1993.
Seles, who was the best classified female player in the world at that time, was stabbed by Guenter Patch, an unemployed German who had an obsession with Graf.
Emma Raducanu was distressed and crying after a man repeatedly approached him in the Dubai Open
The former British number communicated with the referee after he seemed to notice someone who was watching the game
Monica Seles was stabbed in court in her match against Steffi Graff 31 years ago
Seles, who was the best classified female player in the world at that time, was stabbed by Guenter Patch, an unemployed German who had an obsession with Graf.
Mr. Patch entered the Citizen Cup court in Hamburg, where Seles was playing Magdalena Maleeva, carrying a boneless knife.
Patch sank the knife between Seles's shoulder blades, then he told the police that he wanted to “hurt Seles that he couldn't play tennis for a long time.”
While Seles took the hospital allowed him to recover from his wounds, he did not return to competitive tennis for more than two years after the attack.
Now, fans have pointed out that the environment in which female tennis players compete put their safety and well -being at risk.
A worrying user in X commented: 'Raducanu was close to being the new Monica Seles'.
Another worried post said: “Nothing has been learned from what happened to Monica Seles 30 years ago!”
A third pointed out the lack of security in the Dubai Open, Askiing: 'How are players feel safe?
'I hope at least after this they take security seriously, especially in the WTA events. If you think this is not a big problem, remember Monica Seles. '
A room declared: “In a sport where we have had an incident such as the safety of Monica Seles players, it should be the highest priority.”
In reaction to the incident on social networks, tennis fans generated similarities between the case in the stabbing of Dubai and Monica Seles in court on April 30, 1993
A WTA statement said: “On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited a fixed behavior,” said the statement, confirming the presence of man during the first -round victory of Raducanu over Raducanu Maria Sakkari.
'This same individual was identified in the first rows during Emma's match on Tuesday in the Dubai Duty Free tennis championship and subsequently expelled. He will be expelled from all WTA events awaiting threat evaluation.
'The safety of players is our highest priority, and tournaments are recommended on best security practices for international sporting events.
'The WTA is actively working with Emma and its team to guarantee your well -being and provide any necessary support. We remain committed to collaboration with tournaments and their security teams worldwide to maintain a safe environment for all players.