Naomi Osaka tells US Open influencers to ‘read up on tennis etiquette’ after crowd disruption

Naomi Osaka has called on social media influencers attending the US Open to “read up on the etiquette” of tennis, saying the sport’s growing appeal to new audiences should never come at the expense of players competing on court.

The four-time Grand Slam champion made the remarks after defeating Czech player Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 to reach the third round in New York, where questions about spectator behaviour have become one of the tournament’s unexpected talking points.

Osaka’s comments follow a widely shared incident during her first-round victory over Anastasia Zakharova, when chair umpire Kader Nouni briefly halted play to address a group of spectators in a hospitality suite. Broadcast footage and fan videos showed people standing, filming content and using bright ring lights while points were being played, prompting the umpire to ask them to take their seats and stop distracting the players.

Speaking after her second-round win, Osaka struck a measured tone. She acknowledged that influencers and content creators can help introduce tennis to younger and wider audiences, but argued that attending a live match comes with responsibilities.

“If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport,” Osaka said, adding that it is “common courtesy” for newcomers to understand tennis etiquette before attending matches.

The former world No. 1 also revealed that crowd noise had become unusually noticeable during this year’s tournament. She said the umpire in her second-round match asked spectators to be quiet more often than she had ever experienced, and suggested the disturbance in her opening match was significant enough that it appeared to affect both competitors.

The controversy comes as the United States Tennis Association expands its content creator programme as part of efforts to grow the sport’s digital reach. Around 100 creators received credentials for this year’s tournament, nearly double the number from the initiative’s inaugural edition in 2025, reflecting a broader strategy to engage younger fans through social media.

Tournament organizers have defended the programme while stressing that disruptive behaviour is not acceptable. USTA communications officials said additional signage has been installed across the grounds and messages have been sent to ticket holders and suite guests reminding spectators not to use flash photography, ring lights or other activities that could interfere with play. They added that chair umpires will continue to address distractions whenever they arise.

Several players have echoed Osaka’s balanced stance, recognizing the promotional value influencers bring while insisting that tennis’s long-standing customs, remaining still during points, limiting movement and avoiding bright lights, remain essential to fair competition.

The debate has exposed a broader challenge facing modern sport. As elite events embrace creators and digital culture to attract new audiences, organizers are increasingly being asked to preserve the traditions that define the live experience. Osaka’s message was not a rejection of new fans, but a reminder that growing the game works best when respect for it grows too.