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Naomi Osaka Speaks out on Influencers Disrupting US Open
The four-time Grand Slam champion found herself dealing with the issue firsthand during her opening-round match in New York, when a group of spectators in a hospitality suite began filming and taking photos while play was underway. At one point, chair umpire Kader Nouni intervened and asked the group to sit down.
“There was a moment where there was people shouting and stuff,” Osaka said afterward. “You could hear it quite clearly.”
The incident has since become part of a larger conversation about how the tournament is welcoming a new generation of social-media-driven fans without allowing their content creation to interfere with the players.
Influencers and Ring Lights Become a Distraction
The controversy goes beyond Osaka’s match.
Videos circulating online have shown spectators posing for photos, filming social-media videos and even using bright ring lights during active matches. In one incident, a group in a suite behind the court was seen moving around and taking photos with lighting equipment while Osaka was playing Anastasia Zakharova. The chair umpire ultimately stopped play to address the distraction.
The U.S. Tennis Association has also placed new signs throughout the tournament grounds reminding spectators not to use flash photography or other lighting during matches.
The USTA says approximately 100 creator media credentials were issued for this year's tournament, nearly twice the number issued in 2025. The organization has defended its efforts to bring tennis to new audiences while acknowledging that fan activities cannot interfere with competition.
Osaka Sees the Upside — But Wants Better Management
Osaka isn't completely opposed to influencers being part of the sport.
Instead, she believes there is a potential benefit if creators help introduce tennis to audiences who may not otherwise follow the game.
“It could be a good thing for people to make the sport of tennis popular to their specific audience,” Osaka said. “But I think it has to be managed a lot better.”
For Osaka, the issue isn't simply that people are taking pictures or creating content. It's that some spectators appear unfamiliar with the basic etiquette expected during professional tennis matches.
“When everyone knows the rules and the etiquette,” she said, there is room for the sport to grow without disrupting the competition.
Other Players Are Raising Concerns
Osaka isn't the only player who has noticed the changing atmosphere.
Coco Gauff has also acknowledged the challenge of attracting new fans who may not understand tennis etiquette. She suggested that brands bringing influencers to matches should do more to explain what is expected inside the stadium.
Jessica Pegula has been more direct, criticizing behavior that interferes with matches as disrespectful.
At the same time, some players have welcomed the influx of creators, arguing that social media can help tennis reach younger and more diverse audiences.
That divide reflects the larger challenge facing the U.S. Open: keeping the tournament accessible and culturally relevant while preserving the environment players need to compete at the highest level.
Jakub Mensik’s Match Adds to the Debate
The issue became even more visible when Czech player Jakub Mensik stopped during his match after becoming frustrated with a spectator who was allegedly trash-talking from the stands.
His reaction added another layer to concerns about crowd behavior at this year's tournament, where players and fans have increasingly complained about excessive noise and distractions.
While energetic crowds have always been part of the U.S. Open atmosphere, players are making a distinction between cheering and behavior that pulls attention away from the match itself.
Wimbledon Is Taking a Different Approach
The controversy has already prompted another Grand Slam tournament to draw a line.
Wimbledon has said it does not plan to introduce a dedicated influencer accreditation program for next year's tournament, taking a more restrictive approach after watching the debate unfold in New York.
For the U.S. Open, however, the push toward social media is unlikely to disappear.
The tournament sees creators as an important way to reach new audiences, but the incidents involving Osaka and other players have made one thing clear: viral content can't come at the expense of the competition happening on the court.
As the 2026 U.S. Open continues, organizers are now facing the challenge of finding that balance — allowing fans to capture the excitement while ensuring players can compete without unnecessary distractions.
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