At the US Open, tennis itself fights for the attention
salon.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The U.S. Open has seen an influx of influencers and content creators this year, doubling from last year, leading to disruptions such as photo shoots with bright lights during matches.
- Players like Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka have experienced interruptions, with Sabalenka notably stopping play due to someone smoking marijuana in the stadium.
- Some players, including Coco Gauff, suggest educating influencers on tennis etiquette, while others like Jessica Pegula find certain behaviors disrespectful to the sport.
- The U.S. Tennis Association embraces the Open as both a cultural and athletic event, attracting celebrities and social media attention, but this has led to conflicts between the spectacle off-court and the tennis on-court.
- Despite complaints, officials could not locate the marijuana smoker, and recreational use is legal in New York, though players prefer it not occur during play.
