Wimbledon will not credential influencers after US Open disruptions

Influencers seeking tennis content will need to create it elsewhere, as Wimbledon has announced it will not grant them credentials. This decision comes in response to disruptions caused by influencers at this year’s U.S. Open, prompting the tournament to take a firmer stance on media access.

To address potential distractions, Wimbledon has implemented new measures at the All England Club. Security will now confiscate items such as ring lights, which have been known to disturb play. This approach follows complaints from players at the U.S. Open, where 100 content creators, alongside journalists and broadcasters, were officially accredited.

The influx of digital creators contributed to a more chaotic environment, leading Wimbledon to prioritize traditional tennis etiquette and the players’ experience.

At this year’s U.S. Open, fans repeatedly interrupted matches by taking photos with bright lights and creating excessive noise. High-profile players such as Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka publicly addressed the importance of fan behavior, expressing frustration over the distractions. In response, tournament officials displayed reminders about proper behavior on screens throughout the venue and even revoked two content creators' credentials.

Beyond noise and photography, other issues like the pervasive smell of marijuana have also surfaced.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was forced to pause her third-round match due to a "very strong smell" of marijuana, voicing her frustration publicly, and Adrian Mannarino describing the Grand Slam crowd as a "bit of a zoo."

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