Emma Raducanu says Dubai stalker ordeal did not impact her during defeat against Moyuka Uchijima at Indian Wells

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Emma Raducanu made her first appearance on court after being left distraught by the presence of a stalker at the Dubai Tennis Championships. However, the Briton suffered a first-round defeat in straight sets to Japanese opponent Moyuka Uchijima, who will take on Coco Gauff in the next round. Raducanu is next scheduled to appear at the upcoming Miami Open in Florida, which commences on March 16.

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain shakes hands at the net after her straight sets defeat against Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in their first round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Image credit: Getty Images

Emma Raducanu insisted being targeted by a stalker in Dubai did not impact her performance in her 6-3 6-2 defeat to Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of Indian Wells.

She narrowly lost to Karolina Muchova at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February, but the contest was overshadowed by the appearance of a stalker.

Thankfully, the match at Indian Wells was a much calmer affair, and Raducanu believes she was beaten by the better player on the day.

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"I didn't have what happened in Dubai in my head at all today," she said.

"If anything, [it was] a bit of a lack of preparation on the tennis court, playing someone who played pretty good in these extremely awkward conditions.

"I think it depends what sort of frame of mind you are in. I think all the players will say, if they are feeling good, it's great. If they are not, it can be more difficult and challenging.

"You have to just overcome whatever hurdles that come your way and just keep going forward. It was just a very difficult match for me. I tried to be aggressive, I tried to make the ball, but I guess it didn't work.

"I had great support around me. I was feeling pretty good. I think today was just a bit of a curveball, but I guess I am just going to move on."

The 22-year-old Briton is still searching for a permanent coach since parting ways with Nick Cavaday when he stepped away from the role due to health reasons after the Australian Open, where she reached the third round.

Uchijima also featured in Dubai, losing to Elena Rybakina in the second round. The 23-year-old Japanese player had already taken part in the ATX Open two weeks ago to acclimatise to the US.

She appeared the sharper of the two players in California and forced 10 break points, converting half of them as she kept Raducanu under pressure. Raducanu was not helped by four double faults as she lost in straight sets.

Raducanu had started promisingly, breaking her opponent to go 2-0 up, but in windy conditions it was Uchijima who adjusted and thrived, taking the first set 6-3. She then broke Raducanu early in the second set and did not look back.

Uchijima faces Coco Gauff in the next round, while Raducanu will prepare for the upcoming Miami Open, which begins on March 16.

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