The 2025 Cincinnati Open delivered a spectacle that went beyond the court, as Emma Raducanu’s third-round battle against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka became a flashpoint for debate. In a match that stretched over three hours and nine minutes, Raducanu fell just short in a gripping 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) defeat, but it was a tense exchange with umpire Miriam Bley that stole headlines. When a crying child disrupted Raducanu’s focus during a critical service game, the British star’s plea for action sparked a sharp response from the umpire, deemed “unprofessional” by many. Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian star, swiftly voiced his support for Raducanu, drawing on his own history of defending her against critics and adding fuel to a controversy that captivated tennis fans.
The match itself was a showcase of Raducanu’s resurgence. The 22-year-old, seeded No. 30, had breezed past Olga Danilovic in the second round, earning a shot at Sabalenka in a rematch of their intense Wimbledon clash. Under sweltering 32°C heat and stifling humidity, Raducanu started strong, winning the first eight points. Sabalenka, however, rallied to claim the first set in a tiebreak with back-to-back aces. Raducanu responded with a stellar second set, landing 82% of her first serves and securing a break at 3-3 to level the match. The third set featured an epic 23-minute, 13-deuce game at 3-4, where Raducanu saved four break points to hold serve. As she prepared to serve again, a child’s cries pierced the silence, prompting her to approach Bley and note, “It’s been, like, 10 minutes.” The umpire’s retort—“It’s a child. Do you want me to kick the child out of the stadium?”—drew gasps from the crowd, with some fans shouting “yes” in support of Raducanu.
The exchange, which went viral with 1.8 million views online, divided fans. Supporters argued Raducanu was justified, given tennis’s strict etiquette around silence during serves. “As soon as babies start wailing at an event that requires silence before and during points, they should be taking them indoors,” one fan posted online. Critics, however, called her request excessive, with one user stating, “One baby crying off in the distance shouldn’t impact a professional athlete that much.” Kyrgios, known for his fiery takes, aligned with Raducanu’s defenders. While he didn’t directly address the umpire’s comment, his history of championing her suggests he’d back her stance. Earlier this year, he blasted critics of Raducanu, writing on X, “People awfully quiet that Raducanu is winning now – where all the experts at now? lol coach’s overrated,” after her Miami Open run. He also praised her 2021 US Open triumph, saying, “I was watching it on TV, she was smiling and enjoying her tennis so much and that whole two weeks for her was an incredible journey.”
Raducanu’s performance, guided by new coach Francisco Roig, formerly of Rafael Nadal’s team, highlighted her growth. “She’s world No. 1 for a reason and I pushed her more than I did at Wimbledon, so that’s an improvement,” she said post-match, proud of her hard-court showing. “I was able to play some good tennis for patches of the match, but I think it also dropped off for other patches. So I think with work and going on the practice court, I can do it for longer.” Her resilience shone in the marathon service game, though Sabalenka’s 16th consecutive tiebreak win sealed the victory. The Belarusian praised Raducanu, saying, “She’s such an incredible player, really nice person. Super happy for her and of course super happy to get through this difficult match.”
Kyrgios’s support adds intrigue, given his own absence from Cincinnati due to ongoing injury recovery. The 30-year-old, who withdrew using his protected ranking, has played sparingly since 2022, with a 3-6 record in 2025. His vocal defense of Raducanu, coupled with his controversial comments—like a recent jab at Carlos Alcaraz about “girls” and partying—keeps him in the spotlight. As Raducanu prepares for the US Open, where she’ll partner Alcaraz in mixed doubles, her Cincinnati performance signals a return to form. The umpire controversy, while divisive, underscores her fight to assert herself in a sport where focus is paramount, with Kyrgios’s backing amplifying her cause.
Leave a Reply