Wimbledon to beef up security after Emma Raducanu stalker hell in Dubai
Wimbledon boss Sally Bolton has spoken about the tournament's security in the wake of Emma Raducanu's stalker ordeal in February and the threat posed to players this summer
Wimbledon will beef up its security following Emma Raducanu's stalking ordeal in Dubai earlier this year. Tournament chiefs have described the safety of players as an 'absolute top priority' and stated they recognise the concern generated by recent incidents.
Raducanu revealed earlier this week that she is still wary when she goes out after she was targeted by a stalker during a match against Karolina Muchova in February. The incident saw the young Brit left in tears and hiding behind the umpire's chair when she received unwanted attention from a 'fixated' man.
The ordeal occurred after the figure had already handed Raducanu a letter and taken photographs. Raducanu haso previously been forced to deal with a man visiting her house three times in the aftermath of her US Open win, aged just 18.
Katie Boulter, who reached the quarter-finals of Queens with Raducanu in the doubles, has also revealed she was once followed in London. 'It's part of life when you're in the public eye a little bit," she said. "Obviously you don't feel comfortable."
And All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton revealed that the security put in place will be reflective of the threat and that intelligence is gathered throughout the year to establish the risk present.
Speaking at the Spring Conference, Bolton said: 'The safety and wellbeing of all of the players is our absolute top priority. I think the recent incidents coming to light certainly recognise the concern generated by that. But we have in place - and have had for many years - processes for ensuring the safety of our players.
"And that is in liaison with law enforcement agencies, specialist security teams and we liaise with both tours. And that is year round not just in preparation for The Championships. And it is a bit like the broader security for the grounds. We are putting in place measures that are reflective of the threat and risk profile at the time. It is absolutely a top priority for us.
'We probably wouldn't at this point comment on any details in respect of any individual athlete but that intelligence is being gathered working with those other parties throughout the year to make sure we have got the right measures in place come The Championships.'
Raducanu has detailed how she now feels after her ordeal earlier this year.
"It was difficult,' she told BBC Sport. "It was emphasised by the fact I didn't necessarily feel certain or comfortable in my own set-up and team so it just added to the anxious feeling.
"I'm obviously wary when I go out. I try not to be careless about it because you only realise how much of a problem it is when you're in that situation and I don't necessarily want to be in that situation again.
"Off the court right now, I feel good, I feel pretty settled. I feel like I have good people around me and anything that was negative, I kind of brush it off as much as I can."
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