[Watch] Emma Raducanu in hot water after complaining over 'child crying' during third-round match against Aryna Sabalenka

For the third time in her last four tournaments, Emma Raducanu was knocked out in the third round.

In what was billed as a revenge match for her Wimbledon 2025 loss, Emma Raducanu came agonizingly close to toppling world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Cincinnati Open 2025 round of 32 on August 10. The 22-year-old Brit battled for over three hours, but ultimately fell in a deciding-set tie-break 6-7 (3) 6-4 6-7 (5).

Raducanu’s campaign ended on a frustrating note – and not just because of the narrow defeat. Midway through the match, a crying child in the stands disrupted play for a few minutes.

This prompted the British No.1 to pause her service motion and tell umpire Miriam Bley, “It’s been, like, 10 minutes [of crying].”

The umpire responded to Emma’s remark, “It’s a child… Do you want me to kick the child out of the stadium?”

Emma Raducanu seemingly disappointed shurgged, but the crowd agreed to her. They shouted “yes,” she smiled and pointed towards them in agreement.

The incident sparked debate on social media, with some fans questioning why a newborn was brought to the match given Ohio’s hot and humid weather. One post read: “Why is a child at a tennis match in 91-degree weather and 50% humidity to begin with???”

Cincinnati’s heat has been a hot topic in tennis this week, especially after Daniil Medvedev was spotted putting his head inside a courtside fridge and Carlos Alcaraz practiced shirtless to cope with the conditions.

Meanwhile, during the match, after the child-related interruption – which came during a grueling 13-deuce game where she saved four break points – Raducanu held for 4-4.

But later, she was warned for receiving on-court coaching from her new coach Francis Roig, prompting a brief exchange with the umpire before she apologized.

The umpire reminded her: “You cannot actively approach him and he cannot leave his position.” Emma Raducanu explained she couldn’t hear due to loud music, before apologizing, “Sorry, I didn’t know.”

Also Read: Top five oldest players to win a WTA match

Sabalenka ultimately survived the thriller repeating her triumph of Wimbledon third round where the Belarusian had knocked Emma out in third round.

However, the tennis journalist Jose Morgado hailed it as “one of the best matches of Emma Raducanu’s career.” The Brit now shifts focus to the US Open, starting August 24, where she famously claimed her maiden Grand Slam in 2021.

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