Jessica Pegula Backs US Open Etiquette Call
Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff called for creators at the US Open to respect tennis etiquette and avoid interrupting play.
Players raise concerns
Players have voiced concerns about interruptions caused by people making content during US Open matches. Play has been stopped. Fans and commentators have raised the issue too. Some visitors have tried to record videos or take photos while points were underway, putting umpires in the position of restoring order.
Naomi Osaka faced repeated distractions during her match and addressed the issue afterward. Her view was firm. She said people attending a sporting event should understand its basic customs before they arrive, especially when athletes are competing nearby.
Pegula sees a clear boundary
Jessica Pegula raised the subject after her win over Leylah Fernandez. The No. 3 player is 8-2 across her last ten completed matches. Her point was simple. Players need a setting where they can focus on each point without lights or cameras creating a distraction.
Pegula said she understood why creators want to share their time at the tournament. She drew a boundary during play. Photos and selfie lights near the court can disturb a player in the middle of a point, when concentration and timing matter most. Her objection was about behavior, rather than access to the event.
Gauff echoes the message
Coco Gauff took a similar position while also recognizing that different audiences can bring more attention to tennis. She compared the situation with arriving at a formal occasion dressed for the setting. Her message was clear. People invited to the US Open should follow the customs that allow matches to proceed without needless disruption.
Gauff and Pegula could still meet in the final. That possibility gives their shared view added weight as the tournament progresses. Both players support a broader crowd, but they want spectators and creators to respect the space needed for points to be played properly.
Others welcome a broader crowd
Frances Tiafoe offered a more welcoming view after beating Valentin Vacherot to reach the fourth round. He likes the US Open's loud and varied crowd. Daniil Medvedev, who is set to face Tiafoe next, also said wider interest can help bring tennis to more people, even if it brings some drawbacks.
The discussion has also included Carlos Alcaraz, listed at No. 2, and Andy Roddick, listed at No. 40. Their mentions reflect how widely the subject has spread around the tournament. For Pegula and Gauff, the issue remains specific: a lively atmosphere is welcome, but content should never interrupt a point.
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