BREAKING: Wimbledon issue new ban after Coco Gauff complaint and US Open matches interrupted
Wimbledon does not plan to facilitate swarms of influencers next year, in the hope of avoiding the controversial moments that have impacted the US Open. Matches in New York have been disrupted by people taking photographs using bright lighting and making too much noise after the tournament gave official accreditation to content creators.
The Press Association understands that Wimbledon will not have any accreditation category for influencers or content creators. They will also see security confiscate items such as ring lights that could pose a risk of disruption.
The US Open is typically a rowdier major than Wimbledon, with show courts used to blaring music and spectators often leaving their seats during points. However, the Flushing Meadows tournament has been subject to a number of complaints in 2026.
Adrian Mannarino told reporters that the tournament was ‘turning into a bit of a zoo’, while Aryna Sabalenka has led complaints over the smell of marijuana, and has even stopped play as a result.
But the introduction of influencers has proven a controversial point. Naomi Osaka’s first-round match saw an umpire have to admonish the crowd when one group turned on a portable ring light during the star’s serve, as they held a photo shoot in their hospitality suite.
I feel like it could be a good thing for people to make the sport of tennis popular to their specific audience,” said Osaka last week. But I think it has to be managed a lot better, especially in the situation like [my] first-round match.
“Overall, I think there is huge positives. You want people to continue to grow the sport. I just think it has to be in a way that everyone knows the rules and the etiquette.”
The 2023 champion and home hope Coco Gauff has also expressed her frustrations with some of the behaviour in the audience during the first week of the tournament.
“It’s great to have a different demographic to the sport,” she said. “And I think I have no problem with influencers. I have met some of them and follow some of them online.
“Luckily the ones I do follow online do follow the etiquette and know tennis pretty well. It’s like any venue you come to, you have to follow the etiquette towards it.
“I think it may be on some of the brands, too, maybe to have a sign plastered or something in the suites so that they know. Because sometimes it’s their first tennis match. They don’t know. They have probably been to basketball games before.
But, I definitely think no flash photography, because that does bother (players) – and I am one of the more lenient players.
“There are very few times you hear me complain about noise. The flash, definitely no flash in the points, and try not to talk too loud.
“I mean, Ashe is a very loud court so I’m used to it, but definitely not mouthing the TikToks and stuff in the middle of the point. I think it’s not just for us, the players, but the viewing experience for those around.
“But I definitely think if I have to pick noise over flash, I think no flash because that actually does mess us up a little bit.
“I definitely think it’s cool to have a new demographic and I definitely think it helps grow the sport. But like with anything, any venue you go to, if you’re being invited to a red carpet, you wouldn’t show up in jeans. I think it’s just (a case of) follow the etiquette of the sport. That’s all.
