Wimbledon Warns Influencers of Strict Stance on Disruptive Behavior

Wimbledon has issued a stern warning to social media influencers, signaling a firm stance against disruptive behavior at the prestigious tournament. The move comes after a series of incidents at the US Open where influencers' actions, including the use of ring lights and excessive noise, disrupted matches and players.

Interim chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Richard Atkinson, stated that while influencers are a crucial part of global brand building, they must be managed carefully. He noted that Wimbledon does not have a formal category for accredited influencers, distinguishing its approach from events where some social media personalities received media accreditation.

Atkinson drew a contrast between the atmosphere of the US Open in New York City, which he described as "mad" and "noisy," and the more controlled environment of Wimbledon. He suggested that any attempts at disruptive behavior, such as broadcasting in the middle of a match with ring lights, would be met with a swift response from the military-trained security personnel at Wimbledon. "If they tried to do that at Wimbledon, I think you'd probably have some Marine Commando…We do have military (on courts)," Atkinson commented, adding that such personnel would likely have no hesitation in "sort[ing] out some influencer."

The incidents at the US Open involved guests in hospitality boxes using ring lights to film social media stunts, prompting criticism from players like Coco Gauff, who called it a disregard for tennis etiquette. While Wimbledon plans to host select chaperoned influencers as guests of sponsors, they emphasize that stringent protocols will be in place.

Atkinson, speaking at the Leaders Week London conference, stressed the importance of handling the presence of influencers in a manner consistent with the Wimbledon brand. "The world has changed but it's just really important that - it's a bit of a cliched expression - you deal with it in a Wimbledon way," he said. He acknowledged that completely barring influencers would be unrealistic, but assured that the marketing team works meticulously to ensure their activities align with the tournament's image and maintain its esteemed atmosphere.