NAOMI OSAKA has told noisy and disruptive influencers to “respect the sport” – and reckons they should be “managed a lot better” during tennis matches.
About 100 social media influencers have been accredited to attend the US Open this year as tournament bosses try to target a new, younger audience.
This year’s US Open has been flooded with influencers Credit: TIKTOK@KATTICUSPFINCH
Naomi Osaka’s clash with Anastasia Zakharova was watched by an entire suite of influencers Credit: TIKTOK@KATTICUSPFINCH
Unlike sports journalists who focus on the tennis action and its stars, the YouTubers and Instagrammers focus on building their own brands.
They tend to post images or videos of the food, be seen downing the popular $23 Honey Deuce cocktails for clicks or show off the various sights and facilities around the Flushing Meadows grounds.
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However, some have overstepped the mark and a group of influencers were ticked off for interrupting Osaka’s first-round win over Russian Anastasia Zakharova on Monday.
During the 7-6 7-6 win on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, play was momentarily halted in the second set when a group of loud influencers were making a noise and using a ring light.
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Videos of this incident have gone viral and caused a real debate about the role and benefit, if any, of having influencers at sporting events.
On Thursday, there was another disruption during Osaka’s second-round victory over Czech Republic player Katerina Siniakova, a former US Open women’s doubles champion.
Osaka, 28, won 6-2, 5-7, 6-1, but was aware of the umpire telling those in the main arena to behave.
Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion, who will play Belgian Elise Mertens in round three on Saturday, said: “I was going to say today, the umpire, she told everyone to be quiet.
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Play was stopped in Naomi Osaka’s match with Katerina Siniakova due to the disruptive influencers Credit: TIKTOK@KATTICUSPFINCH
Osaka has urged the social media stars to ‘respect the sport’ Credit: AFP
“Like be more quiet than I’ve ever heard an umpire tell a crowd to be quiet.
“I do think in my first match, I wasn’t really paying attention.
“I tell people I normally just focus on the match and the court.
“But there was a moment where there were people shouting and stuff, and you could hear it quite clearly. I think it bothered my opponent, too.
“Maybe that’s what you were talking about. But I’ve heard some people say, the lights or whatever.
“I don’t really see the lights, because obviously, when you’re serving, you’re looking at the sun or you’re looking at the night lights. It was more the noise.
“Obviously 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, especially the etiquette.
“I mean, I feel like it could be a good thing for people to make the sport of tennis popular to their specific audience.
The influx of influencers at the US Open has greatly irked tennis fans Credit: REUTERS
Their presence has been defended by Head of US Open Comms Brendan McIntyre Credit: Alamy
“But I think it has to be managed a lot better, especially in the situation like the first-round match.
“Overall, I think there are 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.”
Brendan McIntyre, Head of US Open Comms, said of the backlash to the influx of influencers: “The USTA is always striving to grow tennis in this country and bring new audiences into the sport.
“The US Open is our greatest opportunity to do so, and we welcome newcomers to our event.
“We want all of our fans and guests to have an incredible time when they attend, but we also need to ensure they do not interfere with the action and competition on the court.
“We are continually looking for ways to ensure fans in the stands know what is permitted and what is prohibited.
“As a result, we have increased signage on the grounds and in stadium, and messaged ticket and suite holders to remind everyone to refrain from any activity that could disrupt the game, including noise levels, flash photography and ring lights.
“The chair umpire also has the ability to address the crowd if and when necessary.”
