Ring Lights at Courtside: Influencers Spark an Etiquette Storm at the 2026 US Open
With roughly 100 credentialed creators on site, filming during points became a talking point — and stars including Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula said it had gone too far.
Tennis has always had strict rules about silence during a point. At the 2026 US Open, those rules ran headfirst into the creator economy — and the clash became one of the tournament’s biggest off-court stories.
A creator boom in Flushing Meadows
The USTA credentialed roughly 100 content creators this year, nearly double the 54 it accepted in 2025. The idea was to help the sport reach younger audiences who discover events through short-form video. But clips soon circulated of groups filming, talking and using bright selfie lights while players were mid-rally.
In one widely discussed moment, chair umpire Kader Nouni admonished a group in a suite for recording during a point. The USTA later said that none of the people involved in a separate incident during Naomi Osaka’s match held creator credentials.
What the players said
Osaka said she could hear a group shouting during play in her opening-round match. She was careful not to dismiss creators entirely, saying their presence could help popularise tennis with new audiences, but stressed it “has to be managed a lot better.”
Jessica Pegula echoed that balance. She said she appreciated people showcasing the event but found the filming and lights hard to deal with, reminding fans that players on court are doing their job. Her verdict: it had gotten “a little maybe too much.”
The response
The USTA added signage about flash photography and lighting and increased on-screen reminders about noise. The ripple effect reached London too: according to Press Association reporting, Wimbledon has ruled out a creator accreditation category for 2027 and says it will confiscate ring lights and other disruptive equipment.
The episode captured a question every major sport is now facing — how to welcome the new world of content without losing the traditions that make live events special.
This story was written by the Celestia Times newsroom based on the reporting linked above. Details in developing stories can change; see our corrections policy to report an error. Illustration is original artwork, not a photograph of the events described.