Sydney, Australia – A storm of controversy has erupted across the international tennis community after British tennis star Emma Raducanu publicly slammed the organisers of the China Open for what she called “disrespectful treatment” of her mother.
According to reports, during Raducanu’s match in Beijing, her mother accidentally breached the no-filming policy when she used her phone to capture moments of her daughter in action. Although she tried to explain that she was only taking photos as keepsakes, security staff allegedly acted “overly harsh”, sparking unrest among spectators.
Speaking at a press conference after the match, Raducanu appeared visibly furious. She declared:
“My mum only wanted to support her daughter, yet she was treated like a criminal. This is an insult, it’s blatant discrimination. I will pursue this matter to the very end, even through legal channels.”
Her fiery words sent shockwaves through the global media, particularly as Raducanu has long been known for her calm and composed image, rarely involved in off-court controversies.
On social media, thousands of Raducanu’s fans expressed their anger. The hashtag #BoycottChinaOpen quickly trended across the UK and US.
One supporter posted:
“Can’t believe they treated Emma’s mum like that. We’ll never buy tickets or tune in to this tournament again.”
Tennis forums and fan groups echoed the sentiment, with many calling on fellow players to speak up, arguing that the issue was about more than one family – it was about respecting spectators.
Under immense public pressure, the China Open organisers eventually issued an official statement late last night. They stressed:
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“The no-filming rule is strictly enforced to protect broadcasting rights.”
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“We had no intention of showing disrespect or discrimination towards anyone.”
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“If Ms Raducanu’s family felt offended, we regret that and remain open to further dialogue.”
Yet, rather than calming the storm, the statement only fuelled further outrage. Sports media analysts in Australia and abroad argued the response sounded like a denial of responsibility, failing to ease tensions.
This incident could have serious consequences for the reputation of the China Open. Sponsors and broadcast partners now find themselves caught in the crossfire of the scandal. Some commentators have gone as far as to say it could leave a long-lasting “stain” on the tournament unless handled decisively.
Raducanu, however, remains firm. She reiterated:
“I’m not fighting for myself alone, but for the basic respect that every family and fan deserves.”
The showdown between Emma Raducanu and the China Open is no longer just about a minor rule breach – it has exploded into an international media crisis. With fans continuing to rally behind the boycott, the tennis world now waits to see whether the organisers will take meaningful action – or risk letting the event’s credibility unravel in the storm of backlash.
