Jessica Pegula blasts US Open for allowing influencers to exhibit "disrespectful" behavior during Naomi Osaka match
Pegula gave pros and cons to influencers being there, but the tennis superstar didn't appreciate how they treated a fellow star.
There's simply no getting around it: In today's day and age, social media influencers are everywhere . Big brands are certainly aware of the type of sway many of those influencers have, which leads to partnerships and collaborations.
Major tennis tournaments are no exception to that. But this year, things appear to have gone a bit too far at the 2026 U.S. Open . There have already been two disruptive moments thanks to influencers who were attending the tournament. The most talked about came during Naomi Osaka 's match.
Social media influencers put U.S. Open in a tough spot
The match had to be paused by the chair umpire as a group of influencers were using a bright ring light in their luxury suite to shoot a video in which they loudly recited their script . And this happened while play was still going on.
Obviously, it was a terrible look not only for the influencers, but also for the organizers of the tournament who invited them. While there's nothing wrong with bringing the tournament more exposure on social media, there needs to be proper etiquette exhibited from the influencers - especially during tennis matches .
Osaka's peer, fellow superstar Jessica Pegula , recently spoke about the influencer situation. While Pegula believes they do help the tournament get more exposure, there's a line that can't be crossed .
I think I can appreciate the influencers coming and kind of showcasing, like, the U.S. Open experience. I think that's something that the U.S. Open has utilized a lot as far as food and drinks and things to do and the shops. That part is part of a fan experience and something that people might not know and make them want to go. But I do think that it's tough when you see videos like that when they're taking pictures and using the selfie lights. 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.
We may find a lack of influencers for the rest of the tournament after such backlash.
