Naomi Osaka criticizes influencer behavior during US Open matches

8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 7:50 AM

Last updated Sep 5, 2026

Naomi Osaka criticizes influencer behavior during US Open matches
Summary

Naomi Osaka addressed the conduct of social media influencers attending the US Open following her second-round victory against Katerina Siniakova. Osaka stated that while influencers can help grow the sport, their lack of attention and noise during play disrupts competitors. The issue gained attention after her first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova, where crowd noise became a noticeable distraction. During her recent 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 win, Osaka noted that the chair umpire had to repeatedly ask the audience to remain quiet. Elsewhere at the tournament, Iga Swiatek secured a place in the third round by beating Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in 71 minutes. Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime exited the competition following a third-round defeat.

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Status Watch
  • •Naomi Osaka defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 to advance in the US Open.
  • •Iga Swiatek eliminated Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in 71 minutes.
  • •Felix Auger-Aliassime exited the tournament in the third round.
  • •Osaka called for better management of influencer conduct to ensure player focus during matches.
Latest Updates
  • 7:50 AMYahoo Sports — Brands Finally Act After Coco Gauff & Naomi Osaka Call Out US Open Influencers
  • 4:06 PMYahoo Sports — The presence of influencers and tennis etiquette become hot topics at the US Open
  • 4:06 PMYahoo Sports — Naomi Osaka rips US Open influencers causing match disruptions
  • 1:35 PMAwful Announcing — Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff offer strong commentary on influencers crashing US Open - Awful Announcing
  • 1:30 PMYahoo Sports — Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff offer strong commentary on influencers crashing US Open
  • 9:05 AMYahoo Sports — “Respect The Sport” – Naomi Osaka Gets 100% Real About Influencer Drama Taking Over US Open
  • 6:35 AMYahoo Sports — ‘You have to know’ – Naomi Osaka sends strong message to influencers at US Open
  • 1:44 AMYahoo Sports — Naomi Osaka responds after US Open match interrupted by influencers: 'Respect the sport'
What they're saying
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Naomi Osaka indulges the spectacle of tennis, treating each Grand Slam like the Met Gala. But once the match begins, Osaka locks in on tennis and respects the sport’s traditional protocols. The same cannot be said about the horde of influencers crashing the US Open this year. On Tuesday, Osaka’s first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova…

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Naomi Osaka usually does not have a problem focusing on playing tennis and blocking out the crowd when she's on the court. “There was a moment where there was people shouting and stuff," Osaka said. The source of the disruption: a group of influencers and content creators who have been afforded widespread access at this U.S. Open.

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Brands are finally reacting to the mess creators caused at the US Open. One brand has reportedly sent etiquette guidelines to invited influencers after the backlash from Naomi Osaka’s match against Anastasia Zakharova, where people in a suite filmed during points and used a bright ring light.

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