The All England Club has confirmed it will not introduce an influencer category for media accreditation at Wimbledon, a stance unchanged since the tournament began in 1877. This clarification follows disruptions at the US Open, where content creators have interrupted play, leading to social media posts suggesting influencers were banned from Wimbledon.
US Open disruptions spark confusion
At this year's US Open, the USTA has accredited almost 100 content creators to reach new audiences, while brands have invited social media stars into suites. Some have interrupted play, including a group filming a TikTok video during Naomi Osaka's first-round match and others using ring lights mid-point. Osaka's second-round clash with Katerina Siniakova also saw further interruptions.
Despite these incidents, the All England Club's position marks no change from previous years. The club will not give credentials to influencers, as it never has, but this non-change has led to deleted social media posts claiming a ban.
No ban on influencers with tickets
As Express Sport understands, the All England Club has not taken any stand against influencers. Those with tickets will not have their social media accounts vetted or be turned away at the gates. There is no blanket ban on content creators, and brands can still invite influencers into their suites and seats.
Influencers who obtain tickets through the ballot do not have to relinquish them. The club simply lacks a separate category of media accreditation for social media stars, as it always has.
Players call for better etiquette
Osaka, a two-time former champion, said: "I think obviously if you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport. And I feel like it's common courtesy to read up on the sport, especially the etiquette. I mean, I feel like 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 my first-round match."
Coco Gauff echoed her sentiment, saying: "Any venue you come to, you have to follow the etiquette towards it. I think it may be on some of the brands too, maybe to have, like, a sign plastered or something in the suites so that they know. Because sometimes it's their first tennis match. They don't know."
For any avoidance of doubt, influencers looking to attend Wimbledon next year won't be sent home, but they may want to heed Osaka and Gauff's advice.
