US Open umpire forced to stop match after 'disrespectful' act from influencers

A tennis umpire has been forced into ordering influencers to take their seat during the US Open after they made a disturbance in live play.

Naomi Osaka was competing in her opening match in this year's edition of the Grand Slam tournament on Monday when a group of social media influencers decided it was the perfect time for a photoshoot.

The group was captured by TV cameras posing for photographs and recording a video in front of of a bright ring light and talking loudly in a hospitality box in Arthur Ashe Stadium as Osaka prepared to serve.

A video from the stands showed the frustrations of the spectators below them eager to watch tennis, and made clear how loud and distracting the group was being ahead of a crucial point in the match.

Chair umpire Kader Nouni intervened and admonished them for the disturbance, saying through the tannoy: "Guys, please, in the suite behind me, thank you guys, please take your seat."

Osaka and her opponent, 101 ranked Anatasia Zakharova, were at deuce in the fourth game of the second set at the time of the interruption and the world No.13 had the serve.

However, her toss was off and she apologised to Zakharova as she composed her self.

Osaka went on to lose the point but comfortably won the match in straight sets.

A separate video posted on TikTok appeared to show a solo woman posing for photos during live play, with a bright light used to enhance the image.

US Open nearly doubles intake of content creators

Wimbledon's strict rules occasionally causes friction, especially when Aryna Sabalenka wanted her dog to join her this past summer, but the tight regulations at tennis' most sacred sites are in order to avoid such commotions.

For instance, at Wimbledon and Roland-Garros, it's against the rules for spectators to move during points.

The rule was abandoned at Flushing Meadows in 2024 in favour of 'fan free movement.'

It appears influencers will continue to be a presence throughout the US Open, too, as the United States Tennis Association (USTA) has issued 'close to 100' media credentials to content creators in 2026, up from 54 last year, director of media operations Jeanmarie Daly told Front Office Sports.

The US Open's head of communications, Brendan McIntyre, has defended the strategy and insisted such disturbances occur 'infrequently.'

"We want our fans and guests to have an incredible time when they attend the US Open, but we also need to ensure that does not interfere with the action and competition on the court," he told the New York Post.

"These instances happen infrequently, and similar to when crowd noise reaches a certain level, our chair umpires have the ability to address the crowd when they occur."

American player Jessiaca Pegula has called out influencers disturbing matches as 'disrespectful', even if she can see the benefit of opening the game to a new audience.

“I do think that it’s tough when you see videos like that when they’re taking pictures and using the selfie lights,” Pegula said.

“People are down there trying to perform, and it’s their career and their job. It seems like a bit disrespectful. I think it’s gotten a little maybe too much, it feels like, this year. I don’t know.

“I think, again, I can appreciate one side of it, but I think when you have the other side literally interrupting matches, it gets a little tough.”