Approximately one in five women experience stalking in their lifetime, according to the UK’s Office of National Statistics.
Being a well-known public personality increases exposure and a number of female tennis players have been subjected to predatory behaviour in recent years.
Raducanu, 22, has previously been the victim of a stalker, with another man given a five-year restraining order in 2022 after he walked 23 miles to her home.
Fellow British player Katie Boulter described to the Guardian last year, external how she had been followed by people in a car and on foot, while American players Danielle Collins, external and Sloane Stephens have also highlighted the harassment which they have faced.
A man was charged last month with stalking American basketball player Caitlin Clark, while sprinter Gabby Thomas and rugby player Ilona Maher have recently spoken out about their fears.
Bartoli recalled a similar harrowing experience during a match at the All England Club in 2007.
Bartoli described how a man followed her throughout the British grass-court season, turning up at the Birmingham and Eastbourne events before pretending to be a member of the Wimbledon groundstaff to get nearer to her.
“He found a way to purchase the same kit and get himself into my courts,” she added.
“I recognised him during my first-round match against Flavia Pennetta and I pointed it out straight away.
“I said he was not a groundsperson, he was not working there, he was someone who has been stalking me for three weeks.”
Stephanie Hilborne, the chief executive of the Women in Sport charity, told BBC Sport that “every single woman has a level of fear”.
“That’s not restricted to the more visible women – but the more visible you are, the greater that risk is and feels,” she said.
“In sport, we have the situation where your body is very much on show so it makes for extra risk.”
Article by:Source:
