As the U.S. Open comes to a close, one rowdy group has been dominating the tennis world’s conversation: influencers. While influencers have been a topic of controversy in the professional tennis world in past years, this Grand Slam tournament has proven that they may pose a more serious obstacle.Â
In her first round of play, Japanese Grand Slam titleist Naomi Osaka had her match interrupted when a group of influencers began yelling during a point while filming a video for TikTok, a popular social media platform. The Chair Umpire for that match, Kader Nouni, had to delay the match and ask them to quiet down while points were being played. Disruptions like this have been reported amidst a few more matches during the tournament, causing many to question whether the increased awareness of professional tennis is worth the cost of the players’ matches.Â
Influencers attending and filming at Grand Slam tournaments is not a new phenomenon — for the past few years the U.S. Tennis Association has given credentials to influencers allowing them access to cover the tournament, with the number of credentialed influencers having doubled this year. However, the main issue with them attending these events is that they either do not understand the proper etiquette or are choosing to ignore it.
The U.S. Open has a reputation for being the rowdiest of the four Grand Slam tournaments, but that does not mean that etiquette should not be followed.Â
Tennis etiquette is very different from the etiquette of other sporting events. In tennis, it is asked that the audience remain quiet and seated while a point is being played to avoid distracting the players. Flash photography is also frowned upon while a point is being played. Some disturbances become so distracting that the umpires are forced to intervene and ask the audience members to quiet down.
While these “rules” might seem too strict or unnecessary to some viewers, focus is extremely important to the tennis game. Even the slightest distraction, like a camera flash, could cause a player to lose focus and subsequently lose the point.
As a tennis player myself, I am happy that influencers are bringing more awareness to the sport, but I do not want their presence at these matches to be an issue for other viewers or players. There is a fine line between filming your favorite player and recording content in a way that becomes a nuisance to others.
Professional tennis players have weighed in on their thoughts about influencers increasing attendance at matches, and responses have been mixed. American player Frances Tiafoe has said he does not care about influencers so long as people are attending matches. Fellow American and Grand Slam titleist Coco Gauff has expressed annoyance with the ring lights and camera flashes being seen while she is playing.Â
In response to the influencer controversy, the officials for Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, have announced that they will be limiting the number of influencers who attend next year. The All England Club, who runs Wimbledon, will confiscate items that could cause distractions, such as camera ring lights. No credentials will be given to the influencers who attend the 2027 Wimbledon tournament. This means that influencers will no longer be allowed in the official media seats — which will be reserved for accredited journalists and broadcasters — and will no longer have as much access to the events.
I love watching tennis and look forward to the tournament season every year. I think these initiatives will end up being a good thing in the tennis world, as influencers will still be allowed to attend and create content, but the necessary steps will be taken to avoid disturbances during matches. While the U.S. Open may be more boisterous than the other Grand Slam tournaments. I believe that influencers should do their best to learn the etiquette of tennis and show more respect to the players who train their whole lives to qualify for these tournaments.