Influencer presence at US Open sparks debate over etiquette after match pause

A first-round match between Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Zakharova was temporarily stopped at Arthur Ashe Stadium when a group in a suite used bright lighting that disrupted play. The incident has reignited discussion about the growing number of content creators at the US Open.

Influencer Morgan Riddle, who attended the tournament and previously dated tennis player Taylor Fritz, told Us Weekly that the tension surrounding influencers is not unique to the event. > "I don’t think that’s isolated to the Open, necessarily. I think that’s just the state of the world in general right now … People do things for social media."

Riddle said many spectators, not just professional influencers, capture photos and videos, and that clearer communication about tennis etiquette is needed. > "How are they supposed to know the rules?" she asked, noting that many first-time attendees may be unfamiliar with the sport’s protocols.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has posted signage asking fans to refrain from flash photography or other lighting. A viral video showed a woman in a polka-dot dress using a ring light during the match, and another clip captured influencers recording a voice-over in a luxury suite while a nearby fan appeared uncomfortable.

Umpires have issued warnings about content capture during play, and the US Open has issued credentials to close to 100 creators this year, more than double the previous count, according to Front Office Sports. Major brands such as Moët & Chandon, Ralph Lauren, Adidas and Dobel Tequila continue to host influencers at the event.