Emma Raducanu thanks fans after stalker banned by WTA as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka loses in Dubai

The WTA Tour has banned a man who exhibited “fixated behaviour” towards Emma Raducanu after he was taken away by security personnel during the Briton’s Dubai Championships match late.

Former US Open champion Raducanu appeared to be in tears as she approached the umpire’s chair during the first set of her second-round defeat to Karolina Muchova on Tuesday.

The match was briefly halted after Raducanu spoke with the umpire, who quickly contacted tournament organisers. The 22-year-old stood behind the official’s chair as the spectator was escorted away.

The man had previously approached Raducanu at the event on Monday.

The 22-year-old has previously had problems with obsessed fans. In 2022 a man who stalked her in England was handed a five-year restraining order. Amrit Magar had walked 23 miles to Raducanu’s home and taken her father’s shoe as a souvenir.

Raducanu has thanked those who supported her during the ordeal.

“Thank you for the messages of support,” Raducanu wrote the following morning.

“Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay.

“Proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match. Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”

It is the latest concerning incident for Raducanu, who was just 18 when she won the 2021 US Open and quickly learned about the dark side of fame.

A 35-year-old man was found guilty of stalking the tennis star at her home in November and December of the same year.

This week the WTA said the man in Dubai will be banned from all of its events “pending a threat assessment”.

The same person had reportedly approached Raducanu at her hotel and attempted to give her a letter, with the tennis star said to have raised the incident with security and WTA staff at the time.

“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events,” the WTA said in its statement following the match incident.

“The WTA is actively working with Emma and her team to ensure her wellbeing 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.”

On court, Clara Tauson didn’t get much sleep but still beat No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships.

The 22-year-old Dane got to bed late after outlasting Elina Svitolina in a three-set victory in the previous round.

“I think I slept maybe five hours last night. We went to sleep at 330 am,” Clauson, ranked 38th, said in her on-court interview. “I didn’t know what shape I was going to come out here in, but a pretty good one.”

Tauson, who lost to Sabalenka at the Australian Open, had not previously beaten a No. 1-ranked player.

Next up is Linda Noskova for a shot at the semi-finals. The Czech player beat fifth-seeded Jessica Pegula 6-3 7-6 (10-8).

Sabalenka has lost two of her three matches on the WTA Tour since being beaten in the Melbourne final by Madison Keys.

Second-seeded Iga Swiatek beat Dayana Yastremska 7-5 6-0 and next faces Mirra Andreeva, who overcame Peyton Sterns 6-1 6-1.

Defending champion Jasmine Paolini was ousted by Sofia Kenin 6-4 6-0.

The Italian sustained a right ankle injury during the second set. A tearful Paolini got a medical timeout and had her ankle immobilised, but could not challenge Kenin afterward.

Kenin will face sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. Rybakina beat ninth-seeded Paula Badosa 4-6 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (7-2).

with 7NEWS