Raducanu: After being stalked by a pervert, she is afraid to walk alone and is currently focused on the US Open.

This season, Raducanu has faced numerous challenges on the court, which are not solely related to her performance. As early as this season's Dubai Tennis Championships, the former US Open champion was shocked to see a man in the stands exhibiting "strange behavior." This individual had approached Raducanu before, prompting her to complain to the umpire, who ultimately had the man removed from the stands. This incident had a significant impact on Raducanu, and she even cried during a match. Months later, Raducanu admitted that this event changed her life.

However, this is not the first time Raducanu has encountered stalking incidents. Back in 2022, a man followed her and even visited her home. Subsequently, the All England Club banned that individual from entering the Wimbledon venue. Following these events, Raducanu's security measures were strengthened, and her daily routine underwent changes.

In an interview, Raducanu stated, "I think the Dubai incident was probably the worst public attention I've ever experienced. I remember it was hard to go out afterward; I did feel a bit of a hangover from it. But I became more alert and cautious about my safety, always having someone with me. I hardly go out alone anymore; I never walk alone, and there's always someone behind me to protect me."

Although these incidents have profoundly affected her career, Raducanu insists that she is strong enough to handle setbacks. Many have questioned whether she has the resilience to cope with the challenges of the WTA tour, to which the former US Open champion responded, "At that moment, I thought, 'No, I'm strong enough.' It's not pleasant to hear others say that because I've always prided myself on hard work and strength."

However, the incident in Dubai did indeed leave her with deep emotional scars, and she has revealed the psychological impact it had on her.

Despite being one of the most watched players on the court, Raducanu has had to deal with some unfortunate events throughout her career. Whether it be injuries or stalking harassment, the past few years have been quite challenging for Raducanu since her US Open victory in 2021. Especially in Dubai, when she noticed a strange man in the stands during a match, she was left in a state of shock.

Reflecting on that match, Raducanu said, "I saw him in the first game, and I thought, 'I don't know how I'm going to finish this match.' I really cried until I couldn't see the ball and could hardly breathe. All I thought was, 'I need to catch my breath.' It was such an emotional moment. After the match, I did break down and cry, but it wasn't entirely because I lost. It was just that so many emotions from the past few weeks had built up, and I really needed a week to regroup before coming back here."

Recently, after her loss at the Cincinnati Open, Raducanu shared a moment from her training, as the British player prepares for the upcoming 2025 US Open.

Raducanu's last match was in the second round of the Cincinnati Open against Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka won this intense match with a score of 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(5). After the defeat, Raducanu shifted her focus to the US Open, which starts on August 18. She shared a sweaty selfie from her training session on her Instagram story, adding a fitting emoji in the caption.

The 22-year-old Raducanu will team up with Carlos Alcaraz for the mixed doubles event at the US Open, where the prize money is as high as $1 million. She also displayed great confidence before the match. After losing to Sabalenka in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, Raducanu spoke to The Guardian about her fluctuating form on the court. She admitted that while the start of the year was tough, her level is gradually improving.

Raducanu noted, "This is my first time playing most of the tour schedule. The start of this year has indeed been difficult, and it's hard to change that situation. However, I've been building up over the past few months, and my level is improving. The opponents I've faced and lost to are mostly top players, which actually gives me more confidence."

She added, "I went home and then came back; that time in New York was really tough. Since I won that event (the US Open), it hasn't been easy for me there. But this year feels different; I'm calmer off the court. On the court, I have more confidence during crucial points, and most of the time, I can perform well in those moments. So I'm looking forward to using some time to train, improve, and get ready to compete there."

Raducanu hopes to make a strong return to the place where she had her biggest career breakthrough. Recently, her performance has been quite good, and as she prepares to return to the US Open, will she be able to shine again in New York? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)