Dubai Police detain tourist who took photo of tennis star Emma Raducanu, causing her distress

A man who exhibited "fixated behaviour" towards British tennis star Emma Raducanu, causing her to break down in tears during the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier this week, was detained by Dubai Police.

Following Raducanu's complaint, Dubai authorities took "swift action to address the incident". The tourist left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behaviour that caused her distress, according to a statement from the emirate's media office. 

On February 18, the 22-year-old approached the chair umpire during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova. A tearful Raducanu then retreated behind the umpire's chair as tournament organisers "ejected" a man away from the stands. 

The 2021 US Open champion later dropped the charges against the repeat offender, who has been banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment. He also signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her. 

After what it termed as a "security incident in Dubai," the Women's Tennis Association said it "is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her well-being and provide any necessary support". 

Raducanu took to Instagram on Wednesday to thank her fans for support, and said she would be "okay". She wrote, "Difficult experience yesterday but I'll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match."

The athlete also thanked her opponent, Karolina Muchova, "for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament."

Culled From KhaleejTimes.