Naomi Osaka’s US Open match halted as influencers ignore tennis for luxury-suite photo shoot
A luxury suite became a makeshift studio while one of tennis’s biggest stars waited to play
Thousands of tennis fans would have given almost anything to be inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night. A group sitting in a luxury suite had that privilege, but instead of watching Naomi Osaka play, they appeared more interested in using the US Open as the background for their next video.
The scene unfolded during Osaka’s first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova. Osaka was preparing to serve at deuce in the fourth game of the second set when chair umpire Kader Nouni was forced to look away from the court and address the disturbance behind him.
“Guys, please, in the suite behind me, thank you guys, please take your seat,” Nouni told the group. Videos showed people standing and recording inside the suite, while another woman used a bright ring light to capture content during the match. The moment quickly spread online, leaving fans angry that the tennis had been interrupted for a photo shoot.
The US Open welcomed influencers, but this crossed a line
The timing made the incident even more uncomfortable. The USTA approved credentials for close to 100 content creators this year, nearly twice the 54 welcomed in 2025.
The goal was to bring the tournament to new audiences, but it has also created moments in which the event itself appears to become less important than the content being filmed around it. It has not been confirmed whether the people involved in this particular incident held those credentials.
The USTA said these situations happen infrequently and stressed that guests are welcome to enjoy themselves as long as they do not interfere with the competition.
Jessica Pegula understood why the tournament wants creators in the building, but she also saw the problem. The players on the court are not decorations for someone else’s video, she explained. They are trying to do their jobs.
Osaka eventually regained her focus and defeated Zakharova 7-6(6), 7-6(3). She moved on, but the uncomfortable moment stayed behind. There is room at the US Open for celebrities, fashion, cocktails and social media. That is part of what makes the tournament different.
But when an umpire must stop play and ask guests to sit down, the line has already been crossed. For the people inside the stadium, it may be content. For the players, it is their career. And for countless fans watching from home, it is the seat they wish they could have.
