Emma Raducanu deletes Instagram account after Brit’s stalker nightmare | Tennis | Sport
Emma Raducanu has deleted her Instagram account weeks after being the victim of a terrifying stalker ordeal in Dubai. The 22-year-old tennis star was reduced to tears on the court just two points into her Dubai Open second-round match against Karolina Muchova after spotting the stalker in the crowd.
Raducanu pointed out the man, whom a WTA statement later claimed “exhibited fixated behaviour” after he approached her in a public area the day before. Security removed the individual from his seat before Dubai Police arrested him while the Kent player was visibly upset behind the umpire’s chair. Raducanu’s former coach revealed he had followed her for 3,600 miles, and while she later dropped charges, he has been banned from future WTA tennis events.
The world No. 55 admirably continued playing and slipped to a 6-7 4-6 defeat. However, she didn’t want to take a break from competing after the sickening incident.
Raducanu was back on the court at the start of March for the Indian Wells Masters in California, travelling to the United States with extra security after it emerged she had gone through her stalker hell for three months.
Great Britain’s No. 2 couldn’t get into the groove during her first-round match against Japanese opponent Moyuka Uchijima, though, losing 3-6 2-6.
She has since raised eyebrows by deactivating her Instagram account, which had boasted 2.6 million followers.
Raducanu’s decision comes weeks after she cryptically changed her bio to “Ad astra per aspera”, a Latin phrase that means “to the stars through hardships”.
Express Sport have contacted Raducanu’s team for comment.
In recent weeks, the former world No. 10 has faced criticism over a Daily Mail report, which claimed that she broke Wimbledon‘s strict all-white dress code in 2024.
Raducanu was said to have worn a pink outfit during training, which allegedly annoyed a member of the All England Club.
The member reportedly said: “It’s so unfair. Emma rocks up in a pink outfit while everyone else respects the all-white rule.
“Who does she think she is? Just because she’s won the US Open doesn’t mean she can wear whatever she wants.”
It’s unclear whether the 2021 US Open champion’s dramatic move is related to her stalker situation, recent backlash, or something else.
Raducanu is expected to compete at the Miami Open, the next event on the WTA calendar. She withdrew from the 2024 tournament due to an injury.
