Tennis is taking precautions; the decision is clear: Jannik Sinner and the other champions are watching closely

Wimbledon is preparing an unprecedented crackdown on influencers in the stands, following recent events at the U.S. Open. The All England Club has decided not to grant press credentials to content creators and will confiscate lighting devices—such as “ring lights”—used in the creation of professional Reels, as they are considered potentially disruptive to matches. This decision marks a clear departure from the American model, which, however, has led to a series of controversial incidents during matches at Flushing Meadows.

The decision comes after days of controversy at the New York tournament: photographs taken with blinding lights during points, constant noise, and audience movement in the middle of rallies. This situation prompted players such as Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka to call for greater adherence to tennis’s rules of conduct, while the tournament’s giant screens displayed educational messages aimed at less experienced spectators, who are accustomed to more “boisterous” environments.

The discontent grew day by day: French player Adrian Mannarino, for example, openly referred to the venue as a “zoo,” criticizing the freedom granted to the audience to move around during points and the constant noise surrounding the courts. This atmosphere stands in stark contrast to the tradition of a sport in which the atmosphere has always been controlled and the sanctity of the game is an integral part of the experience.

Against this backdrop, the top players are watching closely. Many recall the frenzied—and at times out-of-control—cheering from certain influencers during the 2025 U.S. Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, while other champions like Aryna Sabalenka have spoken out, calling for stable playing conditions and greater discipline from the audience: the Belarusian also complained this year about the strong smell of marijuana in the Flushing Meadows court area, noting that “something like this only happens here.”

Wimbledon, which reviews its internal policies every year, seems intent on preserving its identity: no experiments, no indiscriminate openings, and no concessions to a more “spectacle-oriented” model like the American one. The goal is to prevent tennis from becoming a stage for viral content at the expense of respect for the game.