New York, NY – Tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula have weighed in on the controversy surrounding influencers being disruptive while creating content during the 2026 US Open. After winning her second-round match against Katerina Siniakova, Osaka shared her thoughts on critics slamming content creators for their behaviour in the stands. “Today, the umpire, she told everyone to be quiet more than I’ve ever heard an umpire tell a crowd to be quiet,” Osaka said during her post-game press conference.
The four-time Grand Slam champion noted that the commotion affected her first match as well. “I wasn’t really paying attention. 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,” she explained. “I think it bothered my opponent, too.” During the match in question, a group of influencers was spotted in a now-viral clip making a video while loudly quoting Kim Kardashian. While Osaka welcomed the idea of bringing new fans to tennis, she had a clear message. “If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport,” she said. “It’s common courtesy to read up on the sport, especially the etiquette.”
Must Read: How Pubity Group Turned Eight Years of Social Publishing Into a Global Creative Business
Jessica Pegula also addressed the issue after her win against Sofia Kenin. “I can appreciate the influencers coming and showcasing the U.S. Open experience,” she told reporters. “That is part of a fan experience and something that people might not know and make them want to go.” However, she noted that some behaviour has gone too far. “It’s tough when you see videos when they’re taking pictures and using the selfie lights,” Pegula said. “People are down there trying to perform. It’s their career and their job. It seems like a bit disrespectful.” She added, “I can appreciate one side of it, but I think when you have the other side literally interrupting matches, it gets a little tough.”
