Wimbledon won't allow influencers after US Open distractions: Report

(NewsNation) — As the U.S. Open draws to a close, some of the most talked-about tennis headlines have come from what's happening in the stands instead of on the courts. Content creators toting lights and camera equipment have reportedly disrupted several matches at this year's Open in New York, leading umpires to address the crowd directly for excessive noise and high-profile players, including Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff, to comment about the distractions it's caused during play. 'It could be a good thing for people to make the sport of tennis popular to their specific audience, but I think it has to be managed a lot better, especially in the situation like first-round match,' Osaka said last week. 'Overall, I think there is 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.' The issue is prompting another big event in tennis — Wimbledon — to make some changes before next summer's tournament. According to the Press Association, the competition held in London will no longer give influencers media credentials. It will also confiscate items like ring lights that could disrupt matches. The issue has sparked conversations about tennis etiquette. Even signage at the Open has begun reiterating how the crowd should behave in the stands. According to the Associated Press, the number of content creators who were credentialed to cover the U.S. Open has doubled from last year.Submit Correction Δ