Here’s what fans are saying about Emma Raducanu’s request to have crying baby removed from stadium during match

Emma Raducanu’s Cincinnati Open match against Aryna Sabalenka was blockbuster tennis, with the world No. 1 finally winning 7-5 in a final-set tiebreak.

But the tensest moment of the match may have been when a crying baby interrupted Raducanu’s serve in the final set. The former U.S. Open champion walked away from her toss and told the chair umpire, “It’s been like 10 minutes.”

The chair umpire was less than impressed: “It’s a child. Do you want me to send the child out of the stadium?”

Raducanu shrugged as several fans in the crowd shouted “YES!” in response. The chair umpire admitted defeat in the face of the spectators’ views, saying: “I can call in, but we need to continue for the moment.”

Raducanu vs. crying baby sets the internet alight

The debate soon spilled from the Cincinnati court to the internet, prompting an online argument that, predictably, spiraled into chaos.

Plenty of commenters on SportBible’s post about age limits thought the solution was obvious. “Not being funny, if your infant child is crying incessantly, take them away for a minute and then come back,” wrote @keiron_21, adding it’s about respect for players and fans.

@rossleng went further: “Do not bring an infant to a tennis match. Everyone knows the protocol: you must be quiet during play.” @jackolata backed that up with a bit of parenting etiquette: “When my children used to cry in church I would bring the kid out of the service hall. Basic courtesy.”

And @paulinaajs called it “rude and disrespectful” to leave the baby in the stands, stressing it’s not just about the players but “the enjoyment of everybody else who has paid to watch.”

Others, though, weren’t having the outrage. “Emma is softer than the baby s**t in the diaper of the crying child,” cracked @lukeduff12, with @the_real_wilko dismissing tennis’ reverence for silence altogether: “It’s not exactly golf — just get on with the match and hit some balls about.” @maxfermo argued basketball players shoot free throws in roaring arenas and still score, asking why tennis can’t handle a little noise. And @motherofalljobs_ took the empathetic route: “Babies cry. Every parent has been there trying to soothe a baby. Let’s think how the parent feels right now.”

Then there were the middle-grounders. @sashabaz said bringing a kid is fine, “but if they won’t stop crying, leave the stadium of your own accord — it’s selfish not to.” @slhicks66 even tried to clear Raducanu’s name, claiming she didn’t actually ask for the child’s removal: “The umpire suggested it; Emma just shrugged and got on with it.”

What’s clear is this debate is going to run and run…

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