Coco Gauff Has ‘No Problem’ with Influencers But Urges Them to Follow Tennis Etiquette After US Open Light Controversy

One of the talking points of the town is influencer behavior at the US Open. During Naomi Osaka‘s first-round match against Anastasia Zakharova, a group of influencers were seen using bright lights for photoshoots. The umpire had to request that they don’t disrupt the match.

Osaka called out their behavior following her second-round match. And so did Jessica Pegula, saying disrupting the matches is “disrespectful”. Aryna Sabalenka loved the addition of influencers at Flushing Meadows, while Daniil Medvedev thinks their presence has more upsides than downsides.

Many also believes the social media influencers are playing a huge role in promoting tennis among younger demographics. Coco Gauff has already met a few influencers and started following them on social media, saying she has no problem with their presence during matches. But she agreed that tennis etiquette needs to be followed, as noise or turning on lights between points disrupts the matches.

I think it’s great to have a different demographic to the sport, and I have no problem with influencers. I’ve met some of them and follow some of them online. Luckily, the ones I do follow online do follow the etiquette and know tennis pretty well. But yeah, I think it’s like any venue you come to, you have to follow the etiquette towards it.

Coco Gauff said at the press conference after her second-round win over Paula Badosa

Gauff also pointed out that some of the influencers might have been watching their first tennis matches live from the stadium, so perhaps they have no idea about the etiquette.

But I definitely think no flash photography because that does bother and I am one of the more lenient players. There’s very few times you hear me complain about noise, but the flash definitely… no flash in the points, and try not to, like, talk too loud. I mean, Ash [Arthur Ashe Stadium] is a very loud court, so I’m used to it, but definitely not like mouthing the TikToks and stuff [laughter], in the middle of a point.

Coco Gauff added

Gauff then cited the example of red carpets, saying those who are being invited don’t show up in jeans or casual wear and rather dress up as per the etiquette of the event.

Coco Gauff on reaching the No.1 ranking

Coco Gauff has the chance to dethrone Aryna Sabalenka from the No.1 ranking. She has to win her second title in her home Slam and hope that World No.2 Elena Rybakina loses before the semifinals.

But if she doesn’t reach it, it won’t be the end of the world for her. Gauff, who has time and again admitted that the No.1 ranking is not her priority, made it clear once again that all she focuses on is winning Majors.

I’ve never thought about being No.1. I think just growing up watching Serena [Williams] play, and I think watching her play […] maybe where she wasn’t chasing. So, not chasing because you don’t chase the No.1, but not playing so many tournaments where it was very clear she was focused on the Slam. So, I think growing up watching her play, I just always had that mentality.

Gauff will next be locking horns with Cristina Bucsa, who overcame Himeno Sakatsume in a marathon second-round match. The two-time Grand Slam singles champion lifted her first Major here back in 2023 by beating Sabalenka, who is bidding to complete the three-peat.

Gauff won her second Major singles title last year at the French Open by defeating the Belarusian ace. The 22-year-old entered Flushing Meadows after ending her title drought at the Cincinnati Open.

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