Naomi Osaka’s Match Was Interrupted by Influencers and Ring Lights. It Highlights a Growing Problem for the US Open

0 0 1 minute read

The tournament has embraced creators, viral drinks, and sponsor activations. Now an incident during Naomi Osaka’s match is raising questions about when content creation should stop.

Naomi Osaka's Match Was Interrupted by Influencers and Ring Lights. It Highlights a Growing Problem for the US Open

An umpire was forced to pause play and shut down a group of influencers at Naomi Osaka’s first-round match at the US Open.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Zakharova were playing their second set in New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium Monday night when a suite full of spectators staged an impromptu photoshoot.

The umpire stopped play and announced over

The umpire stopped play and announced over the stadium loudspeaker, “Guys, please, in the suite behind me, please thank you guys, please take your seat.” The broadcast camera panned to the group, who were wandering around their seats and taking pictures with portable ring lights.

Brendan McIntyre, the head of US Open communications, told Inc. that the tournament wants fans and guests to have an incredible time at the Open, while ensuring those experiences do not interfere with the action and competition on the court.

Refreshed leadership advice from CEO Stephanie Mehta

An Inc.com Featured Presentation

“These instances happen infrequently, and similar to when crowd noise reaches a certain level, our chair umpires have the ability to address the crowd when they occur,” McIntyre said.

Members of the group were not the only

Members of the group were not the only spectators using the match as a photo backdrop. TikTok user @katticuspfinch uploaded a video of another attendee touting a handbag and posing for photos mid-match while a photographer held a bright ring light and snapped away. The video garnered over 102,500 views.

“Photo shoots were everywhere in the stadium starting after the first set,” the user told Inc. “It was clear people were leaving and wanted to get their shot before they left, even if that meant during active play or a serve.”

Source: www.inc.com