DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Emma Raducanu misplaced to Karolina Muchova after an emotional first set during which a spectator was ejected on the Dubai Championships.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, gave the impression to be in tears as she went to the umpire’s chair after the second sport Tuesday and her second-round match was briefly paused on Court docket 2.
After chatting with the umpire, who instantly known as match organizers, Raducanu stood in a small area between the official’s chair and courtside screening for just a few seconds earlier than Muchova moved over to console her.
Raducanu then picked up a towel, wiped her face, nodded and continued the match.
The British participant rallied from 4-0 right down to power a tiebreaker however finally misplaced 7-6 (6), 6-4 to Muchova.
Organizers of the ladies’s tour issued an announcement later saying Raducanu was approached Monday “by a person who exhibited fixated conduct” in a public area and “this identical particular person was recognized within the first few rows throughout Emma’s match on Tuesday … and subsequently ejected.”
He might be banned from all WTA occasions pending a risk evaluation.
The WTA stated it was working with Raducanu and her workforce “to make sure her well-being and supply any needed help.”
Raducanu didn’t instantly touch upon the incident.
Raducanu was nonetheless a teen in 2022 when a person in Britain was convicted of stalking her at her household dwelling the earlier 12 months.
The 14th-seeded Muchova superior to a gathering towards No. 53-ranked McCartney Kessler, who upset 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff 6-4, 7-5.
The Related Press contributed to this report.