US Open revokes credentials of two influencers after they posted credential photos online
Influencers Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens say they were removed from the US Open two hours after sharing images of their access passes on Instagram, prompting questions about the tournament's social media policies.
Two New York-based social media personalities who run the account The VIP List said they were barred from the US Open after posting photos of their event credentials on Instagram Stories. Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens said they learned their access was revoked while dining at a partnered restaurant, two hours after sharing the images.
"We post our credentials on our story. We go to our favorite restaurant. Have a nice steak dinner. We’re downing Honey Deuces. We’re having a great time, haven’t even made it to court yet," Radice told a media outlet.
"Within two hours of us leaving, we were told we could no longer use our credentials. We were heartbroken and we still are," Jongens added.
The pair said they received the passes through a partnership with a restaurant at the tournament and intended to create content over the two-week event. They claim they were unaware that posting the credentials violated any rules and have not received further comment from United States Tennis Association officials.
The USTA has expanded its creator program this year, granting credentials to about 100 content creators, up from 54 the previous year, according to reports. The incident follows recent concerns about influencer activity at the tournament, including a brief pause of a first-round match after influencers were reported to be recording loudly in a suite.
Major brands such as Moët & Chandon, Grey Goose, Ralph Lauren, Adidas and Dobel Tequila are among those hosting influencers at the Open. Radice and Jongens, who have amassed close to half a million followers on TikTok and Instagram, have previously described themselves as outspoken reviewers of New York restaurants.