Arabic version: رئيس ويمبلدون يحذّر المؤثرين بشأن آداب المباريات

According to BBC News, Wimbledon’s interim chief executive Richard Atkinson has said the tournament is unlikely to introduce accreditation for influencers, after a disruption involving content creators at the US Open prompted debate about tennis etiquette.

US Open organisers accredited 100 influencers and content creators for this year’s event. A match involving two-time champion Naomi Osaka was interrupted when a group of influencers conducted a photo shoot. Atkinson said Wimbledon does not have “a category of accredited people called influencers”, although he described influencers as a crucial part of the marketing mix.

He said influencers brought to SW19 by brands would be tightly chaperoned, citing partner Polo Ralph Lauren. Atkinson also said spectators will not be permitted to bring portable ring lights, equipment used by content creators, into the grounds.

Atkinson backed what he called Wimbledon’s traditional self-policing atmosphere, in which fans respect play. He contrasted the setting with the US Open’s “very New York City” atmosphere and joked that Royal Marine commandos providing security at Wimbledon would enjoy dealing with an influencer who tried to broadcast during a match.

While stressing that excluding influencers entirely would be “nonsense”, Atkinson said Wimbledon’s marketing team works carefully to ensure creators operate consistently with the tournament’s brand and preserve its distinctive atmosphere. World number four Coco Gauff also said tennis should welcome a new demographic, provided people follow the sport’s etiquette.