Johnny Watterson advises against portraying Emma Raducanu as the antagonist in the discussion concerning tearful children
In the recent Cincinnati Open, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open winner, paused her match against Aryna Sabalenka to point out a crying baby in the stands. The umpire's response to her request was perceived as chastising, with an air of "what do you want me to do about it?" The phrase "kick the child out of the stadium" was criticised as a misplaced choice of words, as Raducanu simply highlighted that the baby had been crying for ten minutes.
The incident, reminiscent of similar occurrences in the past, such as during a match between Dan Evans and Roger Federer in the 2019 Australian Open, and between Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic in the 2018 Australian Open, sparked a debate on good parenting and received unsympathetic headlines portraying Raducanu as an indifferent ice queen.
Appropriate parenting etiquette during children's crying incidents at spectator sports events involves responding calmly and supportively to a child's distress, minimizing disruption, avoiding defensive or judgmental interactions, and modeling patience and understanding. Parents are encouraged to attend to their child quietly, possibly stepping away briefly if needed, while avoiding drawing negative attention or judgment from other spectators.
Jim Courier, commentating on the match, suggested the baby be removed. However, Nadal questioned the parenting skills of those with the child during the incident. The guardians of the crying child may need to be more mindful of others and feel less entitled.
Interestingly, researchers have found that leaving infants to cry has no impact on their behavioural development or attachment to their mother, but it may help them develop self-control. Tennis umpires routinely warn spectators not to make noise during play and follow certain rules, including not taking flash photography, muting phones, clapping at appropriate moments, and leaving their seats only during breaks or changeovers.
At Wimbledon, stewards are present to enforce respectful behaviour towards players. Federer and Evans joked about the situation, and the baby fell silent as they continued playing. Raducanu shrugged, and some fans shouted "Yes" on her behalf.
The umpire could have intervened sooner, and Raducanu had the right to speak up during the incident. The overall consensus emphasizes thoughtful, low-key management of children's crying, promoting both the child’s comfort and the enjoyment of the event for all attendees.
Tennis tournaments often encounter situations where a baby's crying disrupts play, as seen with Emma Raducanu's match against Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open and similar incidents involving Dan Evans and Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Marin Cilic. To manage such disturbances, appropriate protocol includes calm and supportive reactions to the child's distress, minimal disruption, and avoiding defensiveness or judgment. Fans should also be mindful of their behavior and respect the enjoyment of the event for everyone present.
