Jobaaj Stories
A man was kicked out of the Dubai Tennis Championships after acting strangely around British tennis player Emma Raducanu, the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) said. The man approached Raducanu on Monday in a public area and was seen sitting near her during her match on Tuesday.
The WTA removed him from the event and said he would be banned from all WTA events until they check if he poses a threat. This raised concerns about player safety.
During her match against Karolina Muchová, Raducanu seemed upset and spoke with the umpire. She then hid behind the umpire's chair for a short time before the match continued. Muchová, who was winning 2-0, went to comfort Raducanu, and play resumed after a short break.
The WTA said that keeping players safe is their top priority. They work with tournament organizers to make sure the events are safe. They also said they are supporting Raducanu and her team to make sure she is okay after the incident.
Raducanu was losing 4-0 in the first set but made a strong comeback, bringing the score to 5-4. However, Muchová won the first set and then broke Raducanu’s serve early in the second set to win the match.
Muchová will now play American McCartney Kessler, who won her match against Coco Gauff earlier on Tuesday.
The WTA is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all players. They will continue working with tournaments to make sure players are protected and feel safe at events.
