A man who “exhibited fixated behaviour” towards British tennis player Emma Raducanu has been given a restraining order, Dubai Police have said.
Raducanu was visibly upset during a game at the Dubai Tennis Championships after the man was among the crowds in the first few rows.
The man was subsequently removed from the tennis court by security.
Raducanu went on to lose 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 to 14th seed Karolina Muchova.
Police said in a statement shared on social media the man was detained before Raducanu decided not to press charges.
On Thursday, Dubai Police said they have taken “swift action” in relation to the incident.
“Following Raducanu’s complaint, Dubai Police detained a tourist who approached her, left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behaviour that caused her distress,” it said.
“While Raducanu later chose to drop the charges, the individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments.
“Dubai remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the emirate.”
The statement was posted on the Dubai Media Office’s X account.
Raducanu said in an Instagram story after the match that it was a “difficult experience”.
She wrote: “Thank you for the messages of support. Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match.
“Thank you to Karolina [Muchova] for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”
Along with her message she posted an image of the Jane Austen novel Emma and a cup of coffee.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) previously said in a statement that the man in question will be “banned from all WTA events pending a threat assessment”.
“Player safety is our top priority, and tournaments are advised on security best practices for international sporting events,” the association said.
In 2022, a 35-year-old man was handed a five-year restraining order – after a court heard Raducanu was “constantly looking over her shoulder” and no longer felt “safe in her own home”.
Amrit Magar had walked 23 miles to Emma’s home and had stolen her father’s shoe as a souvenir.
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