“My Freedom Has Been Taken Away From Me”: 2021 US Open Champion Emma Raducanu Reacts to Her Stalker Being Found Guilty

British player Emma Raducanu entered the 2021 US Open as a qualifier. However, she surprised the world when she went on to become the 2021 US Open champion. Not only did she win the Grand Slam but also wrote her name in the history books. She became the first qualifier in the open era to win a Grand Slam.

Winning her maiden Slam, she rose to fame and in no time, became an overnight star. The British thoroughly enjoyed the phase till the time she did not see the dark side of it. Recently, a 35-year old man was found guilty of stalking the 19-year-old tennis star.

The man named Amrit Magar watched Raducanu on TV. After which, he went to the London Suburbs, where Emma lives with her family. 

Emma feels creeped out

Amrit Magar located Raducanu’s home and started stalking her. On December 4, he somehow stole a pair of shoes from the player’s porch, thinking it was hers. However, the shoes belonged to his father, Ian. Magar was soon arrested for his act.

Last week, Magar was found guilty by the Bromley Magistrates’ Court. On being asked why he stole the shoes, he said, “I wanted a souvenir.”

During this time, Emma Raducanu was in Melbourne for the Australian Open. However, giving a telephonic statement to the police, Emma said, “Since all this has happened, I have felt creeped out. I feel very apprehensive if I go out, especially if I am on my own.”

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The current world number 13 told the media she doesn’t feel safe in her home. She said, “I feel like my freedom has been taken away from me. I am constantly looking over my shoulder. I feel on edge and worried this could happen again. I don’t feel safe in my own home, which is where I should feel safest.”

Being worried about the stalker revisiting her place, she added, “I want to move to a new house with better security because I am worried he might come back as he knows where my home is.”

Emma Raducanu on the tour

The 19-year-old British had her dream run at the US Open 2021. Without dropping a single set, she went on to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam. She beat Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-4,6-3 to win the title.

Before the US Open, Raducanu was ranked 150th. However, winning the title, she climbed up 127 places to take the 27th spot in the WTA rankings. Moving further, she finished the year at 19th rank. 

Emma saw a shaky start to her 2022 season with a first-round exit in WTA Sydney Tennis Classic. Further on, she failed to maintain her US Open form at Melbourne Park, losing in the second round of the Australian Open. 

Even though she has faced early-round exits in the two tournaments, fans are hopeful of a strong return by the world number 13.

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