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Iga Swiatek was targeted by a man during a practice session at the Miami Open - Getty Images/Robert Prange
Tennis has been hit by a fresh harassment threat after Iga Swiatek was targeted at the Miami Open.
A month after Emma Raducanu’s ordeal in Dubai, world No 2 Swiatek has been given extra security after a spectator verbally abused her.
The incident happened when the five-time major champion from Poland was practising last weekend, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
The man shouted personal insults about Swiatek’s family and had previously sent abusive online messages to her through social media.
“The Miami incident appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world,” Swiatek’s representatives said. “He was aggressive and taunting.”
The BBC said Swiatek’s team reported the incident and that tournament organisers and the WTA put extra security measures in place around the Pole, who is scheduled to face Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
“Security is a top priority. We monitor the network to catch these types of issues,” Swiatek’s spokesperson said.
“Constructive criticism is one thing, and threats, hate speech or even disturbance during training is another – this cannot be condoned.”
The WTA did not immediately respond when asked to comment. Miami Open organisers told AFP the safety and security of everyone at the tournament is treated “extremely seriously”.
“We constantly evaluate any potential threats and take every measure to respond appropriately,” they said.
The incident happened a little over a month after a spectator was removed from the Dubai Championship after causing 2021 US Open champion Raducanu distress by exhibiting “fixated behaviour” towards the British player.
Raducanu dropped charges against her suspected stalker after he signed a form promising to distance himself from her.
The security incident has left authorities at pains to underline that Raducanu and other players will be safe at upcoming tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon, with increased security expected.
In 2022, Amrit Magar was given a five-year restraining order after he visited Raducanu’s Bromley home three times following her success at the US Open.
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