Emma Raducanu 'offered security by ex-US Secret Service agent' after stalker ordeal

If the 22-year-old British tennis star competes at Indian Wells next week, her security will be managed by a retired US Secret Service agent.

Concerns about Raducanu's safety have escalated after she became the target of "fixated behavior" by an individual during the Dubai Championships last week.

The unknown man initially approached Raducanu at a public café near the tournament hotel, offering her a letter with his personal information and taking a photo.

Tournament officials in Dubai were alerted several hours prior to Raducanu's second-round match against Karolina Muchova.

During the early moments of the match, Raducanu became visibly disturbed upon spotting the same man in the stands and sought refuge behind the umpire's chair.

The individual was subsequently removed and detained by Dubai police but was later released and given a restraining order, as Raducanu chose not to pursue criminal charges.

Currently in the United Kingdom, Raducanu is scheduled to compete at the prestigious WTA 1000 event, Indian Wells, in California.

Indian Wells, often regarded as the unofficial fifth Grand Slam, has long been a major fixture on the tennis circuit. Despite the troubling incident in Dubai, it is expected that Raducanu will participate.

The tournament offers more ranking points than many other events on the tour and provides a prize of up to 952,000 pounds for the champion.

Efforts are being made to ensure Raducanu feels secure during her time in California, with Bob Campbell, the WTA Tour's Vice President of Safety, overseeing the necessary arrangements.

Campbell, a seasoned security expert, served as a US Secret Service agent for 20 years and played a key role during Bill Clinton's presidency.

To enhance her protection, Raducanu is expected to be assigned up to five additional security guards while at Indian Wells, with the possibility of having them accompany her off-site as well.

Raducanu's management company, IMG, may also hire private security for her, marking the first time she would have such a service during her career.

The 2021 US Open champion, who previously declined private security, did so despite a 2022 incident where a man was convicted and given a five-year restraining order after stalking her outside her home.

According to her childhood coach, Roman Kelecic, the man given the restraining order in Dubai had followed Raducanu for three weeks across four countries, attending tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.

"This man followed her to Singapore, to Abu Dhabi, where I was with her, again in Doha, now in Dubai, and we noticed him," Kelecic shared with the Croatian news outlet Net.

"At first, we thought he was just a fan, an admirer, because Emma is a massive tennis star with a huge following. But then he got too close, started taking selfies with her, hugging her, and engaging physically."

Raducanu's participation in Indian Wells is expected to be officially confirmed soon.

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