Emma Raducanu in tense exchange with umpire over crying baby; official's remark slammed as 'unprofessional'
The Brit's most testing period came during her service game in the third set, which lasted over 20 minutes. Trailing 3-4, Raducanu struggled to close out the game, reaching deuce 13 times. While fending off multiple break points, controversy erupted when she pulled out of her service motion to point out a distressed child in the stands.
"It's been, like, 10 minutes," she told the umpire after retreating to the baseline.
The official replied: 'It's a child. Do you want me to kick the child out of the stadium?'
Raducanu shrugged before a spectator shouted 'yes' on her behalf.
'I can call in, but we need to continue for the moment,' the umpire added before play resumed.
The remark did not sit well with fans on social media. One wrote: 'Why is Emma Raducanu being guilt-tripped by the umpire for a child screaming in the crowd? That was unprofessional and unnecessary.' Another added: 'Surely ask the parent to take the baby out, no? This is a bit dramatic from the umpire.'
A third said: 'Why is a kid there? Any noise disruption at Wimbledon — the most prestigious tennis competition of them all — stops play until the issue is resolved.'
Raducanu went on to win the game and draw level at 4-4 but eventually fell to world number one Sabalenka, who will take on Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the last 16.
After the match, Raducanu told reporters: 'She's [Sabalenka] world No. 1 for a reason.
"I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon, so that's an improvement.'
She did not, however, address the incident involving the child.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
4 minutes ago
- Indian Express
US Open: Venus Williams continues her comeback, receives singles main draw wildcard to feature at the 2025 edition
Two-time U.S. Open singles champion Venus Williams has received a wildcard entry into this year's tournament, organisers said on Wednesday, as the 45-year-old American continues her age-defying return to the court. She last played in the U.S. Open singles main draw in 2023, losing in the first round to Belgian Greet Minnen. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion had also received a wild-card entry with Reilly Opelka to play mixed doubles beginning Aug. 19. Williams has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Serena and another two in mixed doubles. Along with Williams, fellow Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman and Alyssa Ahn are also handed singles main draw wild cards. On the men's side, plenty of American names have been handed wildcards. Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic and Darwin Blanch are the home players to get entry into the main draw, along with France's Valentin Royer and Australian Tristan Schoolkate. The legendary elder Williams' sister became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since 2004 when she beat Peyton Stearns at last month's Washington Open after a 16-month absence from competitive tennis. She later lost to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the Cincinnati Open. 'Just coming back, not everything's going to be perfect,' Williams had said then. 'From DC, I took a lot of things physically. I played four matches in four days. So in that last week, I really worked on the physical side. And, so after this match, I felt great and that's a plus.' The 51st-ranked Bouzas Maneiro, who wasn't born when Williams won her first four Grand Slam titles, advanced to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal match last week in Montreal. It was their first meeting. 'She's a legend,' Bouzas Maneiro said. 'This was a privilege. I tried to do my best on court and enjoy every moment. It's an honor to play against her. She's an inspiration for young players.' With the crowd on her side, Williams pushed the 22-year-old Spaniard but struggled with her service game. 'She played super well,' Williams, who is one year removed from uterine surgery. 'She's got a great future ahead of her, clearly. I was just trying to figure things out as quickly as I could and I just ran out of time. Walking into this match, I felt good.' Williams was making her 11th appearance at the Cincinnati Open, where she reached the semifinals in 2012 and quarterfinals in 2019. She has spent 11 weeks ranked No. 1. 'I had so much fun out there,' Williams said. 'There were moments where I had a lot of chances and there were moments where I was working through the kinks. But there was never a moment where I didn't go for it.' Other women's singles wildcards included France's Caroline Garcia, in what will likely be the 2022 semi-finalist's last appearance at Flushing Meadows. The 2022 WTA Finals winner announced plans to retire from the sport earlier this year. The prize money at 2025 US Open will rise to nearly $85 million across all competitions this year, including a record $5 million each to the women's and men's singles champions, and total player compensation (including costs earmarked for hotel and food and not associated with performance) is $90 million, jumping 20%. (With AP inputs)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
US Open Wild Card: At 45, Venus Williams becomes oldest singles entrant in 44 years
Venus Williams (Getty Images) Venus Williams will make a historic return to Grand Slam tennis later this month after receiving a singles wild-card invitation for the US Open at the age of 45 — making her the oldest singles entrant at the tournament in 44 years. The last player older than Williams to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows was Renee Richards, who was 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The seven-time major singles champion, who lifted the US Open trophy in 2000 and 2001, last played a singles match at the event in 2023, exiting in the first round. She has not won a singles match there since 2019. Williams had already been granted a wild card for next week's mixed doubles event alongside fellow American Reilly Opelka, with singles play beginning on August 24 in New York. Poll How do you feel about Venus Williams returning to the US Open at 45? Inspiring Surprising Her comeback follows a challenging stretch that included surgery to remove uterine fibroids and lengthy spells away from the tour. Williams returned in July at the DC Open for her first match in 16 months, becoming the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon 2004. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now 'There is no doubt I can play tennis,' Williams said then. 'I'm still the same player. I'm a big hitter. This is my brand. ' Williams also entered the Cincinnati Open via a wild card last week, though she bowed out in the opening round. The U.S. Tennis Association also announced wild cards for American players Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman, and Alyssa Ahn; France's Caroline Garcia, set for her final Grand Slam; and Australia's Talia Gibson. For the men, wild cards went to Americans Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic, Darwin Blanch, France's Valentin Royer, and Australia's Tristan Schoolkate. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Jannik Sinner a competition animal: How coach's advice scripted Italian star's rise
Darren Cahill's long-term coaching approach has played a crucial role in Jannik Sinner's rise to the top of men's tennis. Speaking during the Cincinnati Open, Cahill emphasised the importance of consistent, day-to-day work, which has been key in transforming the Italian star into one of the sport's most formidable teaming up with Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi in 2022, Sinner has made significant progress, winning four Grand Slam titles, including back-to-back Australian Open victories. After securing his first Wimbledon title, Sinner will now look to defend his crown in the US Open, scheduled to start later in why we are so proud as coaches, because all that work you've been doing for the past three years eventually shows up in a big match, at a big tournament, for him to be able to get through and win that match. 'So it's not just four or five days when you can make those big changes. It's the combination of a year or two of just pushing him day to day and making sure we continue to work on those things,' Cahill was quoted as saying.'Jannik Sinner wants to compete'Sinner's success comes from targeted improvements, especially on his serve. Early in his partnership with Cahill, he was encouraged to use his frame more effectively, adding power and precision to his first serve. This improved his follow-up shots and reduced long his natural intensity and technical focus, Sinner has set himself apart. Now a global contender, he's not just a future champion, but a current force. Cahill also praised Carlos Alcaraz, noting that both players have elevated the game, separating themselves from the field, with others now chasing them.'One thing I did say is, 'The serve needs to improve. You're six foot four and you're a strong lad. You need to be able to get more miles per hour on that first serve, better direction on that first serve. Then not only do you start winning some free points from your first serve, but also your Plus One becomes much more effective. If people can neutralise your serve, you have to work much harder for your points.''Then his questions came, one after the other It's typical of him. He wants to compete. He's a competition animal. We're seeing an incredible level of tennis at the moment, with Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik. If you look at their body of work over the past couple of years, they've separated themselves from the field. Now it's up to the field to chase,' Cahill the Cincinnati Masters, Sinner has reached the Round of 16, where he will face France's Adrian Mannarino. Earlier, he defeated Daniel Elahi Galan and Gabriel Diallo to advance.- Ends
