Naomi Osaka Urges Social Media Influencers to Learn Tennis ‘Etiquette’ After Disruption During US Open Match: “You Have to Respect the Sport”

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has reportedly handed 100 credentials to social media influencers in its attempt to make tennis popular and reach a wider audience. But the result was disruptions during matches.

Daniil Medvedev has no problem playing in front of the influencers, believing there is “a lot more upside than downside,” and that he trusts what the USTA is doing to grow tennis. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka‘s reaction was: “I love it, I love it. It’s more eyes on [our] sport.“

But Jessica Pegula called them out for their “disrespectful” behavior, though she also understands quite well the role influencers play in promoting the sport to an audience that does not follow traditional media.

And now, Naomi Osaka has given her verdict regarding the same. It was during her first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova that the influencers sparked controversy when they were seen filming content using bright lights. The umpire had to stop the play and requested them to not disrupt the match.

If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport. I feel like it’s common courtesy to read up on the sport. Especially the etiquette.

Naomi Osaka said at the press conference

Osaka’s reaction came after her second-round win over Katerina Siniakova. The former singles No.1 clinched a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 win to schedule her third-round match against Elise Mertens.

It could be a good thing for people to make the sport of tennis popular to their specific audience. But I think it has to be managed a lot better, especially in the situation like in my first-round match. Overall there’s huge positives. You want people to continue to grow the sport. I just think it has to be in a way that everyone knows the rules and the etiquette.

Naomi Osaka added

Osaka said she did not pay much heed to crowd noise during her first-round match but noticed during her second match that the umpire requested the crowd to be quiet quite a few times.

Naomi Osaka admits she recalls moments from her past to win matches

It was at Flushing Meadows back in 2018 that Naomi Osaka clinched the US Open by defeating Serena Williams. She won her next Major by beating Petra Kvitova the following year at the Australian Open, then tripled her tally by taking home the 2020 US Open by beating Victoria Azarenka before winning her fourth one the next year in Melbourne by defeating Jennifer Brady.

At the press conference after her latest win, the 28-year-old said she uses her past experience to handle difficult moments during her matches.

I’m quite fortunate to have a lot of high-quality matches that went in my favor. Especially whenever I think of going into the third set and I need to regroup, I literally only specifically think of the 2021 Australian Open final. And then it’s just like you can just pull from your memory bank for every certain situation that you need to get finished. And I think that’s like the best thing about being a more experienced player.

Since winning the 2021 Australian Open, Osaka has played only one Grand Slam semifinal, at last year’s US Open. Eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova defeated her.

If Osaka beats Elise Mertens in the fourth round, she will face Yuliia Starodubtseva or World No.2 Elena Rybakina. The Kazakh ace is chasing her second Grand Slam title of the season following her Australian Open win over Aryna Sabalenka. If she reaches the semifinal, she will dethrone the Belarusian ace from the No.1 ranking. Sabalenka is competing as the defending champion.

Also read: Adrian Mannarino Slams US Open Conditions: “Becoming a Bit of a Zoo”