India, Sept. 4 -- Influencer culture has landed in the fault zone at this year's US Open after a shoot interrupted the first-round tennis match between two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Zakharova on Monday. A viral clip from New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium showed a group in a suite filming a TikTok with a bright ring light while play was underway, prompting chair umpire Kader Nouni to halt proceedings and say, "Guys, please, in the suite behind me, thank you guys, please take your seat." The incident drew widespread criticism from tennis fans, who questioned the group's audience etiquette. World No. 3 Jessica Pegula, after winning her second-round match on Wednesday, told Front Office Sports, "People are down there trying to perform, and it's their career and their job. And it seems a bit disrespectful." This comes as US Tennis Association (USTA) reportedly accredited nearly 100 content creators this year, almost double the 54 accredited in 2025, to amplify the tournament's presence on social media. Responding to the backlash, the USTA said such incidents occur infrequently and chair umpires can address spectators when their activity disrupts play. Notably, the next day, there was a warning displayed at the gates of the stadium asking spectators to refrain from using "flash photography or other lighting" during matches.htc...