In the spring of 1993, women’s tennis was dominated by two names — Monica Seles and Steffi Graf. Graf had ruled the late 1980s, winning eight of nine Grand Slam events between 1988 and early 1990. Then Seles stormed onto the scene, capturing eight of the next twelve majors. Their rivalry was fierce, their fame undeniable — and, tragically, their careers became linked by an act of violence that shocked the sporting world.

During a match in Hamburg, Germany, Seles faced Magdalena Maleeva when an obsessed Steffi Graf fan, Günter Parche, ran onto the court during a changeover and stabbed Seles between the shoulder blades. He was quickly restrained, but the damage was done. The physical and psychological impact forced Seles out of the game for more than two years. A player once destined for dozens of major titles would lift only one more in her career. Graf went on to win 22.

This brutal incident is etched into tennis history — but it’s not an isolated event.

A Pattern of Fixation in Women’s Tennis

Even before Hamburg, troubling episodes had surrounded top players. At the French Open, Graf’s father punched a wealthy man who had showered the young star with gifts before turning his attention to Seles. In 1990, a fan attempted suicide in front of Graf; not long after the Seles attack, another broke into her home.

The pattern continued through the late 1990s and early 2000s. Stars like Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova, and the Williams sisters all reported disturbing run-ins with overzealous fans. Later, Grand Slam champions Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, and Caroline Wozniacki experienced similar encounters.

Three decades after Seles’s stabbing, the problem hasn’t gone away — it has evolved.

Modern Stars Face the Same Threats

In February 2024, at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Emma Raducanu was seen in tears mid-match after spotting a man she had encountered at previous tournaments. He had approached her the day before with a letter and a request for a photo.

Six-time major champion Iga Świątek endured verbal abuse during practice in Miami from a man who had previously made online threats. At Wimbledon this year, Yulia Putintseva refused to continue playing until a spectator she feared was armed was removed. She ultimately lost 6-0, 6-0.

Other players have shared similar stories: Katie Boulter was followed in a car, Danielle Collins received persistent harassment that extended to calls to her friends and family, and Coco Gauff recalled being followed toward her home in Florida at just 15 years old.

While stalking is a risk in many sports, experts say women’s tennis is particularly vulnerable due to the sport’s unique characteristics: individual competition, close proximity to fans, and a culture that often celebrates youthful talent and visibility.

Why Tennis Is a “Perfect Storm” for Fixated Individuals

“Tennis combines individuality, early fame, public visibility, and often a certain glamour — factors that unfortunately make players prime targets,” said a former Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) executive, speaking anonymously.

Match schedules, practice sessions, and player appearances are widely shared online, making it easy for determined individuals to track athletes. Courtside seating and public walkways at tournaments allow fans unusually close access compared to other sports.

Social media has amplified these challenges, fostering parasocial relationships where fans feel entitled to personal interaction. This accessibility can blur boundaries, sometimes with dangerous results.

Pam Shriver, WTA Player Council president at the time of the Seles attack, says the incident permanently changed how players viewed safety. “After Monica, we knew we had to take any obsessive or threatening behavior seriously. You can’t perform at your best if you don’t feel safe.”

Reporting — and the Reluctance to Report

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, only 29% of stalking victims in 2019 reported incidents to police. In tennis, athletes have become more vocal since 1993, which partly explains why women’s tennis remains at the forefront of this discussion.

Raducanu, for instance, has spoken openly about past harassment. In one case, a man was given a five-year restraining order after walking 23 miles to her family home. She admitted that in England she often hides under a cap, avoiding eye contact in public.

Collins noted that her decision to maintain privacy after harassment was misinterpreted as being unfriendly. Madison Keys shared that incidents at home affected her daily life, and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has requested additional security at certain events. Even men’s stars aren’t immune — Carlos Alcaraz has described unsettling experiences off-court, despite feeling secure during tournaments.

Evolving Security Measures in Tennis

In response to changing threats, tennis organizations have invested in new protections. The WTA hired Lindsay Brandon as its first safeguarding director in 2023. Alongside the International Tennis Federation, Wimbledon organizers, and the U.S. Tennis Association, it launched the Threat Matrix program.

Developed with AI firm Signify Group and supported by threat-management specialists Theseus Risk Management and Quest, the system monitors players’ public social media for abusive or threatening content. In its first year, it referred 15 cases to law enforcement.

Still, security varies greatly between events. Grand Slam tournaments work closely with police and private firms, but smaller events may rely solely on coaches or minimal staff.

Following the Seles attack, physical safety measures improved: player chairs were moved farther from stands, and guards stood on court during breaks. Yet fans can still get very close, particularly in early rounds held on small courts.

In May, Czech player Jiří Lehečka said he felt unsafe at the French Open when spectators in the front row handled his personal items. “It’s not about the towel — it’s about access to our belongings,” he said.

Online Abuse and the Physical World

Świątek’s experience shows how online harassment can cross into real-life encounters. At Wimbledon, behavioral detection experts, 24/7 CCTV, and specialized patrols help manage risks. Smaller tournaments lack such resources, which means incidents like Raducanu’s in Dubai — at a top-tier WTA event — can still occur.

Close protection professionals stress preparation. Ryan Trudgeon, who has worked with ATP Tour players, said, “You scout venues in advance and stay alert. Even in safe spaces, bad intentions can exist. If something feels wrong, it probably is.” During live matches, removing a player is difficult, so staff must respond dynamically without disrupting play.

WTA CEO Portia Archer emphasizes that safety remains a top priority: “We take the responsibility of maintaining a secure environment very seriously.”

The Challenge Ahead

The reality is that tennis can’t remove the elements that make it special — intimacy with fans, international visibility, and a global schedule. These same traits, however, create opportunities for unwanted fixation.

Monica Seles reflects on her own experience with hope: “What happened to me was unprecedented. It’s been 30 years, and I pray it never happens again.”

The sport has learned from past tragedies, yet the balance between openness and safety remains delicate. As women’s tennis continues to produce young, high-profile stars, the challenge will be ensuring that the passion of fandom never crosses into personal danger — and that the next generation of players can compete without fear, on courts that should be defined by brilliance, not threat.