The British tennis star admits she could "barely breathe" after receiving attention from a man displaying "fixated behaviour" in the crowd as she reflected on the distressing episode that happened last month.

Raducanu told reporters: "I was obviously very distraught.

"I saw him in the first game of the match and I was like, I don't know how I'm going to finish. I literally couldn't see the ball through tears. I could barely breathe.

"I was like, I need to just take a breather here."

The man was ejected from the crowd during the match - which Raducanu lost in three sets to Karolina Muchova - and was later given a restraining order and the former US Open champion revealed that she had previously been approached twice by the individual away from the court.

She said: "It was a very emotional time.

"After the match I did break down in tears, but not necessarily because I lost.

"There was just so much emotion in the last few weeks of the events happening, and I just needed that week off to take a breather and come here. I feel a lot better."

Raducanu returns to action for the first time since the ordeal at the Indian Wells Open and is looking forward to getting back on court at the prestigious tournament in California.

She told Sky Sports: "I'm very happy to be in Indian Wells. It's my favourite tournament outside of the Slams... and I think being here I feel a lot better.

"I wasn't necessarily sure if I was going to come and compete so soon after what happened in Dubai but I'm glad I made the decision to come here. I love being here and I'm happy on the court."