"Seems a bit disrespectful": Players call out US Open influencer disruption

Several players have mixed opinions about the controversy

The 2026 US Open influencers have been making headlines for their antics in the stands. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) nearly doubled its content creator credentials this year, going from 54 in 2025 to close to 100, with USTA media operations director Jeanmarie Daly saying the goal was to reach “the broadest possible spectrum” of audiences beyond traditional tennis coverage.

Those creators cover far more than tennis, drifting into fashion, food and lifestyle content, and last year’s cohort alone generated more than 5.5 million social media engagements.

That embrace of 2026 US Open influencer culture boiled over on day two, during Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka’s first-round win over Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova. With the second set locked at deuce in the fourth game, chair umpire Kader Nouni had to pause play to address a courtside suite where a group of creators had set up a full photoshoot, ring light and all, while the point was still live.

“Guys, please, in the suite behind me, thank you guys, please take your seat,” Nouni said over the stadium microphone. Osaka’s rhythm was visibly thrown off when play resumed; her toss went astray, and she had to apologise to Zakharova and reset, though she went on to win in straight sets.

This matter has now been raised directly with the players, who have not been shy to voice their opinions.

Jessica Pegula

World No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the USA said that she can appreciate creators showcasing the tournament experience, from the food and drinks to the general atmosphere, and that it is part of what makes attending the Open appealing to people who might not otherwise show up.

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But she also didn’t hold back on where she thinks the line sits. “People are down there trying to perform, and it’s their career and their job,” she said, adding that the current level of disruption has “gotten a little maybe too much” this year and “seems a bit disrespectful.”

Daniil Medvedev

The 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev focused on the bigger picture. “In general, the more the sport grows, the better it is,” the Russian said in his press conference, adding that he trusts the USTA’s approach.

On the specific disruptions, he was pragmatic rather than alarmed: if a light or a distraction happens during a point, players can simply flag it to the umpire, and he suspects most creators would course-correct once told.

“I’m pretty sure as well, even them, you know, maybe one time they do it, and then someone tells them not to do it,” he said.

Aryna Sabalenka

Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka has taken the most straightforwardly positive stance. Asked about the growing 2026 US Open influencer presence, the World No. 1 said she’s fully supportive of it. “I love it, I love it,” she said. “It’s more eyes on our sport.”

Naomi Osaka

Osaka, whose match was the one interrupted, struck a balanced tone afterwards rather than an angry one. She said creators can genuinely help grow the sport’s reach, but that showing up to an event comes with a basic obligation to understand it.

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“If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport, and I feel like it’s common courtesy to read up on the sport,” she stated, adding that the etiquette side needs to be managed far better than it was during her own first-round match.

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff of the USA echoed the same sentiment after her own second-round win, framing it less as a ban-the-influencers stance and more as a dress-code-for-the-room argument.

She said she doesn’t mind the new demographic the 2026 US Open influencers bring, comparing showing up to a match without knowing its norms to walking onto a red carpet in jeans.

Her specific asks were simple: no flash photography, keep noise down given how loud Ashe already gets, and definitely no filming or talking through a live point. “It’s not just for the players but for the viewing experience, for those around,” she opined.

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