Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3 tennis player, said influencer activity at the US Open has gone too far this year. Speaking Wednesday after her second-round win, Pegula addressed concerns about crowd etiquette, specifically calling out the use of lights during matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium as "a bit disrespectful."
Pegula, known for her active role as a player representative, acknowledged the positive aspects of influencer involvement. She said she appreciates influencers showcasing the "US Open experience" which includes food, drinks, and shops. "I can appreciate one side of it," she said, "but I think we have the other side literally interrupting matches, it gets a little tough."
Pegula previously stated that influencers have helped grow the sport, making tennis "more trendy" and bringing "a lot of eyes" to it. She observed a "crossover Hollywood moment" for tennis, marked by increased fashion and celebrity presence at major tournaments.
Other top players offered competing views. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 women's player, voiced support for influencers, stating: "I love it, I love it. It's more eyes on our sport." Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev echoed similar sentiment, believing the added attention on tennis from content creators offers more upside than downside. Medvedev said he trusts the USTA with their approach, adding that if disturbances occur, attendees will likely be told to stop.
Some former players expressed hesitation. Patrick McEnroe noted that rising ticket prices may be pricing out "real tennis fans," calling the situation "maybe not the greatest thing" for these dedicated supporters. Genie Bouchard said she had "two minds" about influencers, expressing "a bit of sadness" if brands or influencers occupy spots that true fans could otherwise use.
Brendan McIntyre, the US Open head of communications, said the tournament is reminding attendees to respect player privacy and avoid disrupting matches. The USTA did not address whether it would ban equipment like ring lights and flash cameras.
