Wimbledon will not accredit influencers

Wimbledon is set to keep influencers and content creators outside its accreditation system, distancing the tournament from controversies at this year’s US Open.

The New York tournament accredited nearly 100 creators, twice as many as in the previous edition, in an effort to attract a larger audience. Their conduct has since drawn criticism from players and caused disruption during matches.

According to British media reports, Wimbledon has no plans to accredit influencers, as has generally been the practice until now. Rules at the All England Club, where the tournament is held, also prohibit spectators from bringing items such as ring lights into matches. Accredited staff are prohibited from filming video in most areas of the club.

At the US Open, a group of influencers used a ring light during one of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka’s matches, distracting the players. The chair umpire had to address the crowd several times. Osaka criticized the behavior, while Coco Gauff urged people to follow the sport’s etiquette rules.

In a separate incident this year, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka stopped a match because someone in the stands was allegedly smoking marijuana.