British number 1 Katie Boulter has revealed her experiences of being followed and threatened in recent years.
The 28-year-old explained that “people have been following me at times over the last 18 months” and has spoken of an experience at Queens when, after picking up friend and fellow tennis star Alex de Minaur, someone followed her in a car.
In the interview she also talks about receiving threats while competing in a tournament, saying: “One time in Nottingham I got a message from someone on social media saying, ‘I’m outside. I’m going to hurt you if you come out,” she told the Guardian. “I alerted the WTA and they found the man, who was actually at the scene.
“These kinds of things happen all the time. Naturally, we are very well secured, which makes you feel safe. The WTA would do well to be there for you. I feel like we are protected as much as possible, which at least gives you some peace of mind.
Boulter has unfortunately described such incidents as “common these days”.
In July, American tennis player Danielle Collins spoke exclusively to Telegraph Sport about her experiences with stalkers, saying: “I don’t think it’s talked about much, but many of us have had safety issues during our time playing on tour. . Over the years I have experienced different situations. It’s never fun, the feeling of looking over your shoulder.”
In 2022, a man, Amrit Magar, 35, was given a five-year restraining order and found guilty of stalking fellow tennis player Emma Raducanu.
Magar reportedly walked 37 miles to Raducanu’s house in London and then took her father’s shoe as a souvenir, thinking it belonged to Raducanu. The former US Open champion said at the time: “Because of this I feel like my freedom has been taken away from me. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. I feel tense and afraid this could happen again. I don’t feel safe in my own home, where I should feel safest.”
Boulter could potentially meet her partner De Minaur in the United Cup, with Great Britain drawing against Australia for the event taking place in late December and early January. The GB team consists of Boulter and Jack Draper, while the Australian team is De Minaur and Olivia Gadecki.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
