The world of professional sports often comes with adoration and fanfare, but for female athletes, it also brings a darker side—stalking and harassment. British tennis star Emma Raducanu, who rose to fame after her stunning victory at the 2021 US Open, has unfortunately become one of the many female athletes who have had to deal with this distressing reality.
The Stalker Who Targeted Raducanu
In 2022, Raducanu faced an unsettling experience when a stalker, Amrit Magar, repeatedly visited her home in Bromley, Kent. Magar, a former delivery driver, was obsessed with the young star and even left unsolicited gifts and notes on her property. He stole one of her father’s shoes, believing it belonged to Emma, and loitered around her neighbourhood. The incident deeply unsettled Raducanu, leading her to feel unsafe in her own home. She later revealed that it affected her ability to focus on tennis and disrupted her training routines. Magar was eventually convicted of stalking and handed a five-year restraining order, but the psychological scars from such an ordeal do not disappear overnight.
This case highlights a troubling issue in women’s sports—athletes being subjected to harassment simply for excelling in their field. Sadly, Raducanu’s case is far from an isolated incident.
Amrit Magar
The Dubai Incident (2025)
In early 2025, Raducanu faced another unsettling experience during a tournament in Dubai. Reports surfaced that an unknown individual had been following her movements at the event, attempting to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas. Security had to intervene on multiple occasions, ensuring that Raducanu was protected from any potential harm. While no physical confrontation occurred, the incident added to her growing concerns about safety on the tour. This event underscores the persistent danger female athletes face, even in highly secured environments.
The Most Infamous Attack in Tennis History: Monica Seles
Perhaps the most horrific instance of a female tennis player being attacked by an obsessive fan occurred in 1993 when Monica Seles, then the world No. 1, was stabbed during a match. While competing in Hamburg, Germany, Seles was suddenly attacked by Günter Parche, an obsessed fan of her rival, Steffi Graf. Parche, who harboured a deep fixation on Graf, stabbed Seles between the shoulder blades with a nine-inch knife. His goal was to remove Seles from competition so that Graf could reclaim the No. 1 ranking.
The incident left Seles physically injured and mentally scarred, leading her to take a two-year break from professional tennis. While she eventually returned to the sport, she was never quite the same player. Shockingly, Parche received no jail time, as the court deemed him mentally ill and instead gave him a suspended sentence. This verdict was widely criticized, as it failed to serve justice for Seles and sent a concerning message about the consequences of such violent actions.
Other Cases of Stalking and Harassment in Women’s Tennis
The cases of Raducanu and Seles are not anomalies. Several other female tennis players have had to deal with harassment, sometimes escalating to life-threatening situations:
- Serena Williams: Throughout her career, Serena Williams has been stalked by multiple individuals. In 2018, a man named Michael Miceli was arrested after making repeated attempts to meet her, even showing up at her residence uninvited. Williams had to obtain a restraining order against him.
- Martina Hingis: The Swiss tennis star was targeted by a man who claimed he was in a relationship with her. He sent her disturbing messages and tried to contact her at tournaments, causing distress and requiring legal intervention.
- Anna Kournikova: A man obsessed with the Russian tennis player tried to break into her home multiple times, believing they were destined to be together. He was eventually arrested and received psychiatric treatment.
The Larger Problem of Stalking in Women’s Sports
These cases highlight a much broader issue—female athletes are particularly vulnerable to stalking and harassment. Unlike male athletes, women in sports often face unwanted attention that extends beyond admiration and turns into dangerous obsession. The open nature of professional sports, where players’ schedules, training locations, and even residences are often known, makes them easy targets.
Social media has exacerbated this problem. While platforms like Instagram and Twitter help athletes connect with fans, they also provide stalkers with direct access. Many female athletes receive disturbing messages and threats, some of which escalate into real-world harassment.
Steps Towards Greater Protection
While legal actions, such as restraining orders and arrests, help in individual cases, a broader systemic approach is needed to ensure the safety of female athletes. Tennis organizations and governing bodies should invest more in security, especially for high-profile players. Event organizers must tighten security protocols to prevent incidents like the Seles stabbing from ever happening again. Additionally, stricter laws against stalking and harassment should be enforced globally.
Seeking Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking in the UK, you can contact Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service at 020 3866 4107 or visit their website for support and guidance. Stalking is a crime, and no one should have to live in fear.
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