It wasn’t world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s powerful play in the third set of a tight match that unsettled Emma Raducanu. It was a wail from the stands, courtesy of a tiny, off-court opponent.

At the Cincinnati Open on Aug. 11, just as Raducanu, 22, was readying her serve, a sudden cry in the crowd briefly broke the former Grand Slam Champion’s focus.

In a moment caught on ESPN’s TikTok, Raducanu can be heard telling the empire that the distracting noise had been going on “for, like, 10 minutes.” The official replied, “It’s a child. Do you want me to send the child out of the stadium?

The umpire’s offer drew several shouts of “yes” from nearby spectators, prompting Raducanu to motion toward them as if letting their voices speak for her.

“I can call in,” the umpire said, “but we need to con

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