Ring Lights at the Net: Influencers Roil the U.S. Open Experience
At the 2026 U.S. Open, influencers with bright ring lights are drawing attention and, at times, interrupting play, as Naomi Osaka’s match was briefly halted by a rowdy influencer suite. The controversy stems from a broader push by the USTA to credential around 100 influencers this year, part of a strategy to turn the Open into a more Instagram-ready spectacle, which fans say distracts from the game and raises concerns about etiquette and ticket prices.