A leading sports psychologist has cast doubt over whether Emma Raducanu will be able to shake off her harrowing 'stalker' ordeal at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The tournament has been overshadowed by the British star being reduced to tears and hiding behind the umpire’s chair in her second-round match after identifying an individual in the crowd.

A WTA statement later confirmed Raducanu had been approached in public the previous day by a “man who exhibited fixated behaviour.” He was then spotted in the first few rows during Raducanu’s match with Karolina Muchova.

The man was ejected and has since been banned from attending tennis events, while Raducanu has taken to social media to thank everyone for their support.

But Valentina Pierangeli, an expert in sports and exercise psychology at The Bodart Practice in London, has now candidly warned Raducanu that putting the saga behind her won’t be easy. And she believes the 22-year-old could now struggle to focus in future tournaments.

"These stressors don’t just affect performance in the moment,” she told Express Sport. “They can have lasting psychological effects. Influencing confidence and focus in future competitions.

"Elite athletes are conditioned to handle immense pressure, but unexpected disruptions, especially those related to personal safety, can profoundly impact performance. Emma Raducanu’s distress during her match in Dubai highlights a crucial yet often overlooked element of sports psychology: the effect of external stressors on an athlete’s mental state.”

Pierangeli explained that when a professional athlete receives a threat, it can adversely affect their ability to retain focus and remain composed in high-pressure situations. She said that while the odreal caused Raducanu evident distress at the time, the incident would also have triggered “an emotional response” that would have made it difficult to reset herself.

The Italian also called on the authorities to ensure that professional tennis players are protected and can feel safe while competing in tournaments. She insisted that looking after their well-being should extend beyond guarding against physical issues.

“This incident underscores the broader responsibility of event organisers and governing bodies to ensure that player well-being is safeguarded beyond physical injuries,” she said. “Creating an environment where athletes feel emotionally secure both on and off the court."

Raducanu accepted a wildcard to compete in Dubai, but she has not confirmed her next tournament appearance since leaving the country. Despite eventually losing 7-6 6-4 to Muchova, in an Instagram post, she expressed pride at the way she performed following the fan disruption.

“Difficult experience yesterday (Tuesday) but I'll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed,” she wrote. “Despite what happened at the start of the match.”