The Influencer Epidemic Hits Tennis: Why the US Open is Facing Pressure to Ban Content Creators

Tennis fans are reportedly calling for influencers to be banned from the US Open after some were spotted staging social media content and bringing special lighting into the stands that disrupted play in the process. The backlash comes as the tournament’s growing popularity has brought a little more than tennis rackets to the court. Apparently, everyone wants to serve, even if they’re serving content.  

The Spun reports that multiple incidents sparked complaints during this year’s tournament, including spectators using their own lights for photoshoots and a group loudly performing a TikTok skit during a point. Tennis fans largely came to hear the ambiance of the ball being rallied, not expecting live TikTok content to add unwanted background effects. 

It’s worth noting that the complaints don’t mean influencers are actually banned from the US Open. However, the tournament already has extensive fan-etiquette rules prohibiting disruptive behavior, obstruction, unauthorized commercial activities, and other conduct that could interfere with players or fellow spectators. That said, it would be nice if content creators could let people enjoy the game, set their phones down for a moment, and match the energy of tennis before serving another TikTok reel. 

Tennis Fans Want Influencers Served an Exit

Social media users weren’t particularly subtle about what they thought should happen next. “They should ban these stupid influencers from the tournament they’re just there for clout not to actually enjoy the tennis,” one person reportedly wrote.

According to Yahoo, another was equally ready to revoke their imaginary creator passes. “I’m so serious when I say that influencers need to be banned,” they argued, calling the behavior “distracting” and “disrespectful” to people actually watching the game.

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The frustration extended beyond the tennis court. One commenter claimed influencers were “ruining ALL professional sports,” arguing that their presence negatively affects the experience for genuine sports fans.

Of course, owning a ring light and an Instagram account isn’t itself grounds for getting bounced out of a tennis tournament. The problem is what spectators do with them, particularly when somebody’s attempt at going viral starts interfering with an actual point.

There is a time and place to create content. Judging by the reaction from tennis fans, mid-serve at the US Open is neither. While the audience is focusing on the players who make a career out of their talent, it might not be very sportsmanlike to disrupt that with lip-sync challenges from the stands. Dare we say Robert Downey Jr. might have been right about some influencers? 

The US Open Already Has Rules for Disruptive Fans

The tournament’s existing guest rules leave plenty of room to deal with inappropriate behavior without creating an influencer-specific policy. Guests are prohibited from conduct considered inconsiderate or disruptive, including actions that create a “disruptive atmosphere or detrimental experience” for players, staff, officials, or other attendees.

The rules also prohibit blocking other guests’ views and unauthorized promotional or commercial activities. Recording and streaming on-court action are restricted as well.

Whether the latest backlash results in skipping influencer invitations entirely or simply reinforces the rules remains to be seen. For now, the calls for an outright influencer ban are coming from frustrated fans, not the tournament itself.

Nevertheless, anyone attending for the content might want to remember who has centre court. The players already have opponents to deal with. They shouldn’t have to compete with someone’s TikTok draft too. Safe to say, the influencer genre isn’t exactly sitting at love-all with tennis fans right now, unless they can be influenced to observe the rules of a tennis match, of course. 

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