Fight, cramp, US Open: Stalker danger: Emma Raducanu "no longer goes out alone"

In 2021, at the age of 18, Emma Raducanu achieved one of tennis's greatest sensations at the US Open. But things went downhill afterward: stalkers pursued the Briton, and her body and mind gave in. Fear still reigned – but Raducanu fought back.

Emma Raducanu collapses. On the tennis court. Tears flow, she hides behind the umpire's chair. These distressing scenes unfold in February at the Dubai tournament, when the British tennis queen discovers a stalker in the front rows. The man who had followed her across four continents and had previously harassed her is banished from the stands and arrested.

But the dangerous situation still has an impact, and Raducana still fears for her safety. "I remember that immediately afterward, it was very difficult for me to go out," the 22-year-old said in an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper ahead of the US Open, which begins this afternoon (German time). "I've become much more cautious." She pays more attention to her safety and always has someone with her. "I don't go out alone as often anymore. No walks alone. I always have someone watching over me."

Before this dark chapter, Emma Raducanu, at 18, lit up the tennis world with her sensational victory at the 2021 US Open. She became the first qualifier since the beginning of the Open Era in 1968 to win a Grand Slam tournament without dropping a single set. The tennis world went berserk, with the teenager's every move followed, especially by the press in England.

Raducanu feels "great fear"

Everything in Raducanu's career leads back to those three fateful summer weeks in New York. Shortly thereafter, she had to fend off the first stalker. At the end of that year, he terrified her by tracking down her home. First, he left flowers and letters, then he stole items. Shortly afterward, the man was arrested and given a five-year restraining order.

"Ever since all this happened, I've felt great fear," Raducanu said at the time. "I feel like my freedom has been taken away. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder."

In addition to the threat of the next stalker in early 2025, physical and mental obstacles have also marked the Brit's path since that US Open. Members of her team don't consider her "tough," robust and resilient enough. "That wasn't nice to hear, because I've always prided myself on working hard and being strong," she told the Guardian. Wanting to prove herself to her opponents, she ignores her body's signals and pains, training too much and too hard. The consequences include double wrist surgery and three further operations.

Raducanu fights back

Raducanu has since gotten to know her body a little better, but in addition to the fear caused by her stalkers, another psychological difficulty remains. In sports, she has so far been unable to build on her 2021 success, partly because she distorted her US Open triumph into a negative memory. It was the source of her difficulties rather than the inspiration and source of great self-confidence. "That never completely leaves you," Raducanu told the Guardian. "It's been four years now, but I don't think it's completely gone. Maybe in a few years, maybe when I'm older and more mature, but it's hard to put it aside completely."

But according to Raducanu, she's been doing a better job this year of not letting these complicated thoughts ruin her tennis and the hard work she puts in every day. Despite stalkers, injuries, demons in her head, and sporting setbacks, the now 22-year-old has fought her way back to a better life. Back to the joy of tennis.

Constant invasions of her privacy, even by reporters, have not changed this. Since her victory in New York, not only has Raducanu's career been analyzed, but her private and love life has also been dissected and widely covered in headlines.

The Brit has to put up with the kind of questions her male colleagues almost never hear. And they do so nonstop. For example, in June at Wimbledon, where Raducanu put in a strong performance. Nevertheless, the press mostly wants to know whether she's dating this or that player. "That was terrible," the 22-year-old admits to the Guardian. With a laugh, though.

Alcaraz fantasies, invasion of privacy

The rumors primarily revolve around French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, with whom Raducanu competed in the mixed doubles at the US Open last week. Fans of the fantasy-based romance call the fictional couple "Alcaranu." Social media is filled with countless videos claiming to be "proof" of the alleged relationship. There's a Raducanu forum on Reddit with more than 13,000 members, and about three-quarters of all posts are about "Alcaranu."

But Emma Raducanu can now tune out the deafening noise surrounding her, which is a feat in itself. Moreover, at her young age, she has already overcome more dangers and obstacles than most tennis professionals do in their entire careers.

Now, refocused and with renewed joy, she's attacking again. At the US Open in New York, the site of her greatest triumph, which is also her greatest obstacle.