Jason Stacy, performance coach for tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, appeared on ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to showcase mental strength training techniques. These drills help Sabalenka stay composed during intense matches. The show’s hosts participated in a live demonstration of reaction and coordination exercises, providing an interactive experience.
While influencers attending the U.S. Open aim to shape public perception of the tournament, their presence is often controversial. The U.S. Open, held in New York City, attracts many celebrities seeking visibility. Capturing photos, hoping for broadcast coverage, or enjoying suite invites is common. However, disruptions to play pose significant issues.
An incident at Arthur Ashe Stadium highlighted this problem. During a Women’s Singles match, chair umpire Kader Nouni had to address a disturbance caused by attendees in a suite. Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, faced this distraction while serving against Anastasia Zakharova. Nouni paused the match to address the group.
Kader Nouni appealed, “Guys, please, in the suite behind me, thank you guys, please take your seat.”
A video circulating on TikTok showed a woman using a bright light to film content during the match. Another clip showed influencers recording a promotional piece, asking, “Did you miss us?” These actions disrupted the game’s flow.
The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) has actively credentialed digital content creators. In 2025, 54 influencers were officially recognized as media at the U.S. Open. That number has grown to nearly 100 for the recent tournament, according to USTA media operations director Jeanmarie Daly.
Jeanmarie Daly stated, “We realized we live in a world where traditional media and content creators reach different audiences in different ways. Our goal for the program was to have the broadest possible spectrum of coverage for the tournament.”
Despite a brief moment of distraction, Osaka secured a win over Zakharova in straight sets.
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