The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai police detained a man who caused Emma Raducanu distress by exhibiting “fixated behavior” toward the British star at a tennis tournament.

The 22-year-old Raducanu had been approached by the man at the Dubai Championships where he left her a note, took her photograph, and engaged in behavior that caused her distress, the government of Dubai’s media office said Thursday.

The 2021 U.S. Open champion then saw the man in the stands during her second-round match against Karolina Muchova on Tuesday night. At one point she was in tears and stood behind the umpire’s chair.

The government’s statement described the unidentified man only as “a tourist.” Raducanu ultimately decided to drop the charges, the statement added.

“The individual signed a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments,” Dubai’s media office said in the statement. “Dubai remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors to the emirate.”

On Wednesday, Raducanu thanked those who supported her and said she would be OK.

During the unscheduled break in Tuesday’s match, Muchova walked over to offer Raducanu support.

Elsewhere:

n No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek lost to a player younger than 18 for the first time on tour when she was stunned by Mirra Andreeva in the Dubai Championships quarterfinals on Thursday. The 17-year-old Andreeva won 6-3, 6-3 to become the youngest semifinalist in Dubai’s 24-year history.

n Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz lost for just the second time this year on Thursday when 25th-ranked Jiri Lehecka beat him 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open. Alcaraz’s only other defeat in 2025 was to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals.