The man who received a restraining order for stalking British tennis star Emma Raducanu has attempted to apply for tickets to this month's Wimbledon Championships, according to BBC Sport. However, security measures at the All England Club prevented his entry, as the system flagged his name and blocked his purchase.
Earlier this year at the Dubai Tennis Championships, the 22-year-old athlete was left shaken after spotting the stalker in the stands—a man who had followed her across four consecutive tournaments. His inappropriate behaviors escalated when he approached Raducanu at a coffee shop, handing her a letter and requesting a photograph, which she later found unnerving. After he was spotted during Raducanu's match against Karolina Muchova, he was subsequently removed from the venue and detained by local authorities.
In the aftermath of this incident, Raducanu expressed her distress saying, "I literally couldn't see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe." Despite the turmoil, she noted that the situation could have been handled better. In light of these ongoing threats, the tennis star has adopted a heightened sense of vigilance regarding her safety, often accompanied by members of her team.
The issue of player security has gained renewed attention this Wimbledon season, prompting an assurance from Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), about the enhanced measures in place. "We spend a lot of time on ensuring security measures are tight at Wimbledon," Bolton stated, emphasizing the club's collaboration with various agencies to address potential security threats.
To bolster safety, the AELTC employs a team of fixated threat specialists, behavioral experts, and extensive CCTV monitoring throughout the grounds. All patrons are screened and required to provide personal information before entering, aimed at protecting players like Raducanu. Moreover, the security teams maintain constant communication with referees' offices, ensuring prompt responses to any arising concerns during the event.
