Overview
- A chair umpire stopped Naomi Osaka’s first-round match after a group in an Arthur Ashe hospitality suite used bright portable lights for a photoshoot during live play, forcing officials to admonish the spectators.
- The interruption disrupted Osaka’s next serve by affecting her ball toss and cost her the immediate point, though she went on to win the match in straight sets.
- USTA spokespeople said chair umpires have authority to address crowd issues and described such incidents as infrequent while USTA staff defended efforts to broaden the tournament’s reach.
- Tournament officials have increased accredited social media creators from about 54 in 2025 to roughly close to 100 this year, a change critics say has invited attendees who do not follow tennis etiquette.
- The episode builds on a looser 2024 ‘fan free movement’ policy and viral footage showing a possible staff member holding a light, raising questions about credentialing, suite oversight, and whether stricter rules or enforcement are needed.