The US Open’s growing influencer presence has sparked controversy, with Morgan Riddle defending social media creators while calling for better etiquette.
Morgan Riddle has waded into the growing controversy surrounding influencers at the 2026 US Open, defending the increasing number of social media personalities attending the Grand Slam while acknowledging that more needs to be done to educate newcomers about tennis etiquette.
The 29-year-old influencer has become one of the most recognizable faces associated with tennis content over the past several years.
Riddle built a substantial online following while she was in a long-term relationship with American tennis star Taylor Fritz, who is competing at this year’s US Open.
Riddle currently has around 500,000 followers on Instagram and more than 600,000 on TikTok, where she has regularly shared tennis-related content, fashion posts and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life surrounding the sport.
Her comments come amid growing frustration among some traditional tennis fans over the presence of social media influencers at the US Open in New York.
The tournament has increasingly embraced digital creators as tennis attempts to attract younger audiences and expand its popularity beyond its traditional fanbase.
However, some spectators have complained that certain content creators are treating the grounds more like a photo studio than a sporting event.
Photoshoots, conversations, movement in the stands and filming during points have all generated criticism, with concerns that such behavior can distract both spectators and players.
Riddle, however, believes influencers are being unfairly singled out.
Morgan Riddle defends influencers at the US Open
Speaking to Us Weekly, Riddle argued that the desire to take photographs and create social media content extends well beyond professional influencers.
“Obviously people love to bag on influencers for doing that, but every single person who goes to the Open is going to take photos and take content, except maybe the older, die-hard, OG tennis fans,” she said.
Riddle suggested that many people seen taking pictures around the US Open grounds are simply ordinary spectators documenting their experience.
“So yes, people do want to blame influencers, but I do think a lot of people you see taking content around the grounds are just regular people,” she added.
The influencer also compared the phenomenon to the wider culture of documenting major life events for social media.
She pointed to weddings as another example of people spending significant amounts of money to create photographs and videos that can later be shared online.
For Riddle, the behavior is ultimately part of a broader cultural shift rather than something unique to tennis.
“It’s just the state of the world,” she said.
US Open influencer numbers reportedly surge
The debate has intensified after reports that the 2026 US Open approved close to 100 credentials for social media influencers.
According to Front Office Sports, that figure represents more than double the number of influencer credentials issued at last year’s tournament.
The growing presence of creators reflects the changing way major sporting events engage with audiences.
Social media personalities can introduce sports to followers who may not traditionally watch tennis, potentially helping tournaments attract younger viewers and generate additional online interest.
But the increase has also created challenges for organizers.
One of the most notable incidents occurred during four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka’s first-round match.
During the contest, spectators in one of the hospitality suites were reportedly filming and moving around while Osaka and her opponent Anastasia Zakharova were preparing to continue play.
The chair umpire eventually intervened, asking people in the suite to sit down and stop moving around while the players were ready to resume.
“The players are ready!” another spectator could reportedly be heard saying as the disruption unfolded.
The incident briefly interrupted Osaka’s rhythm, with the Japanese-American star struggling with her ball toss after play resumed and apologizing before attempting her serve again.
Footage later circulated on social media showing members of the group posing for photographs around the court.
Another spectator was also reportedly seen using a portable light while taking pictures near the court during live match play.
Morgan Riddle calls for better communication
While defending influencers, Riddle acknowledged that there is a legitimate issue surrounding etiquette.
She argued that organizers and tennis authorities need to do a better job of explaining the rules to people who are attending their first professional tennis match.
“I want to be empathetic about that, too, because there are so many people who are going to the US Open for the first time and they’ve never been to a tennis match before,” Riddle said.
“How are they supposed to know the rules?”
Her comments suggest that she believes some of the behavior being criticized may come from a lack of understanding rather than deliberate disrespect toward players.
US Open communications chief Brendan McIntyre also addressed the issue, emphasizing that spectators are welcome but cannot interfere with competition.
“We want our fans and guests to have an incredible time when they attend the US Open, but we also need to ensure that does not interfere with the action and competition on the court,” McIntyre said.
He added that such incidents are relatively uncommon and that chair umpires have the authority to address spectators when necessary.
Riddle returns to the US Open after Taylor Fritz split
Riddle’s presence at this year’s tournament has also attracted attention because she is attending the US Open despite her split from Fritz.
The pair were together for approximately six years, during which Riddle became closely associated with Fritz’s tennis career and helped build her own online profile through tennis-focused content.
She attended the opening day of this year’s tournament, watching Novak Djokovic’s match against Mariano Navone from a courtside seat.
Fritz, meanwhile, entered the tournament as the No. 9 seed and one of the notable American contenders.
His personal life has also remained a topic of interest. Fritz and influencer Olivia Jade were recently seen together in New York, marking a notable public appearance after the pair were first linked earlier this year.
Rumors surrounding Fritz and Riddle’s breakup first began circulating in April, when social media accounts claimed that the tennis star had ended their relationship.
Riddle initially appeared to make light of the speculation. Weeks later, however, she shared a photograph of herself wearing a T-shirt bearing the phrase “World’s Best Ex-Girlfriend,” seemingly acknowledging the end of their relationship with humor.
Despite no longer being connected romantically to Fritz, Riddle has shown that her interest in tennis remains strong.
Her appearance at the US Open and her latest comments demonstrate that she continues to occupy a prominent position within the sport’s expanding social media landscape.
As tennis attempts to balance its traditional culture with the demands of the digital age, the debate over influencers is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Riddle’s argument is that new audiences should be welcomed rather than criticized — but they also need clearer guidance about how to enjoy the sport without disrupting the action on court.