Influencers' loud antics disrupt US Open matches, prompting player and umpire complaints

In the middle of a US Open match, a group of influencers occupied a premium suite and recorded a noisy video with a ring light, repeatedly shouting a celebrity quote while players such as Naomi Osaka were on court. The disturbance forced the umpire to pause play and issue a stern warning, an action the players described as unprecedented. Both Osaka and Jessica Pegula criticized the influencers for ignoring basic tennis etiquette and turning the event into a personal photo shoot.

The USTA has nearly doubled the number of credentials granted to content creators since 2025, a policy linked to the growing presence of such disruptive guests. While some creators provide useful coverage, others, like Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens of The VIP List, had their passes revoked after posting credential images online. The incident highlights tension between traditional fans, athletes, and a new wave of self-promoting social media personalities at major sporting events.