Former world No. 1 provides easy recommendation for influencers attending the US Open.
Richard PagliaroSeptember 3, 20264 minute learn
By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 3, 2026
Photograph credit score: Garrett Ellwood/USTA
NEW YORK—Naomi Osaka can sport cutting-edge couture on court docket.
The previous world No. 1 can be a tennis traditionalist in terms of etiquette.
Requested her response to the influencer inflow that has created controversy at this US Open, Osaka supplied sensible recommendation for all: Respect the game.
“I feel clearly if you happen to come to a sporting occasion, it’s important to respect the game,” Osaka instructed the media right this moment. “And I really feel prefer it’s frequent courtesy to, like, learn up on the game, particularly, just like the etiquette.”
Two-time US Open champion Osaka fended off doubles No. 1 Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 on Arthur Ashe Stadium right this moment.
Throughout Osaka’s 7-6(6), 7-6(3) US Open opening-round win over Anastasia Zakharova on Monday evening a gaggle of influencers in an Ashe Stadium suite had been so loud, chair umpire Kader Nouni requested the group to calm down.
Then this TikTok video went viral exhibiting an influencer creating video content material utilizing a vibrant white gentle that clearly generally is a distraction to a participant attempting to return a 100 mph+ serve.
@katticuspfinch Tennis etiquette is that you simply don’t even GET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A POINT however now at @US Open apparently it’s ring lights and picture shoots all over the place within the MIDDLE OF A POINT. Pay attention, I really like bringing new individuals to the open and I’m all for getting extra individuals into tennis as a result of it’s such a enjoyable sport to look at however if you happen to’re going to disrespect the gamers, you shouldn’t come to the match. And I LOVE content material creators bringing tennis to everybody on social media however if you happen to’re not going to be respectful of the sport being performed thats NOT OKAY. Yyou can see ring lights from everywhere in the stadium and the umpire and gamers made it very clear that it’s a HUGE DISTRACTION and it’s now impacting the gamers potential to play the sport we’re all right here to see. And apparently the us open and USTA are simply positive with it as a result of their workers helps it occur. @influencersinthewild @Tennis Channel #nyccontentcreator #naomiosaka #usopen #tennistiktok #usopentennis ♬ original sound – There I Ruined It
The USTA, in an effort to develop the sport’s recognition amongst non-traditional tennis and sports activities followers, credentialed almost 100 influencers for this US Open.
The Thirteenth-seeded Osaka, who will face Twenty third-seeded Belgian Elise Mertens for a spot within the US Open spherical of 16, stated she helps attempting to develop the sport collaborating with social media influencers—however says it’s very important to handle the method in order that the content material creators aren’t intruding on the competitors on court docket.
“I imply, I really feel prefer it could possibly be a superb factor for individuals to make the game of tennis well-liked to their particular viewers, however I feel it must be managed loads higher, particularly within the scenario like first-round match,” Osaka stated. “Yeah, total I feel there may be large positives, and I’m not the one to, like — what do you say?
“Like, you need individuals to proceed to develop the game. I simply suppose it must be in a manner that everybody is aware of the principles and the etiquette.”
A part of the difficulty in Osaka’s opening-round emanated from a loud group of influencers in a sponsor suite. The group grew so loud, and clearly Arthur Ashe Stadium is already the loudest stadium in Grand Slam tennis, chair umpire Kader Nouni requested them to calm down at one level.
It’s simple responsible the sponsors for cramming the suites with influencers in an effort to push their merchandise on social media or blame the USTA for credentialing almost 100 influencers whereas concurrently shutting out or limiting some journalists or blame these influencers, flying excessive on Honey Deuces, so self-absorbed they handled a US Open evening match as a photograph op.
Maybe Osaka, who typically makes use of her social media as a platform to advertise tradition and style, can affect the influencers along with her phrases.
Absolutely, influencers and content material creators might help expose tennis to their huge audiences and tennis itself is all about self-expression.
It’s a fragile dance in that the sport’s governing our bodies need to draw a youthful viewers, an viewers many influencers already entice, but on the identical time mutual respect is a basic basis of tennis custom. Whereas US Open evening crowds might be a few of the rowdiest within the sport, it’s a foul search for all when credentialed influencers can disrupt a significant match.
All through current historical past tennis’ governing our bodies have courted the facility of the leisure business.
Keep in mind, Arlen Kantarian, former USTA Chief Government Professional Tennis, beforehand labored for the NFL and Radio Metropolis Music Corridor earlier than bringing vibrant lights and leisure components to the US Open Below Kantarian’s management, the US Open adopted replay expertise and in addition launched the Saturday evening US Open ladies’s closing envisioning years of Venus vs. Serena prime-time all-American finals. Kantarian utilized his leisure experience to assist energy the Open to new revenue ranges.
So it’s not shocking that the USTA and its sponsors are looking for to channel the recognition and energy of influencers to increase the Open’s viewers and faucet into much more income streams.
The US Open stays the Showtime Slam.
Right here’s hoping week two shifts the highlight from influencers on-line to the gamers inspiring on court docket.
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