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The US Open has never demanded Wimbledon-level decorum. New Yorkers cheer loudly, planes roar overhead and the 7 train provides its own clattering soundtrack. But this year, some spectators have mistaken “raucous” for “do whatever you want.”
The backlash arrived after fans reportedly pulled out ring lights, staged content in hospitality suites and took flash photos during matches. Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka complained about the pungent smell of marijuana wafting throughout Arthur Ashe during her third-round game on Friday, September 4.
And play was even interrupted during Naomi Osaka’s opening-round match when a bright light appeared in the crowd. The offending spectators were not among the nearly 100 creators officially credentialed by the USTA, but the episode still prompted a fresh conversation about how to behave at Flushing Meadows. “If you come to a sporting event, you have to respect the sport,” Osaka later said, per The New York Times. Seems straightforward!
Apparently, we need a guide. Here's how not to be that person during this year's US Open championship.
How to Behave During the US Open: An Etiquette Guide
1. Save the photoshoot for a changeover
Take the selfie and definitely photograph the Honey Deuce. Capture every painstaking detail of your tenniscore outfit. Just wait until the players sit down. Flash photography and light rings are prohibited during match play, when an unexpected burst of brightness can distract the athletes—and irritate everybody seated near you.
2. Shut up during the point
The US Open crowd is famously loud and players generally relish its energy. Once the ball is in play, however, lower your voice. Athletes rely partly on the sound of the ball hitting the racket to judge its speed and spin. Finish the gossip after the point.
3. Stay in your seat
Do not begin your mid-match pilgrimage toward the bathroom while a player is serving, particularly if you are in their line of sight. Wait for a changeover, then make a swift and graceful exit. The same applies when returning with four drinks and a dangerously loaded tray of food.
4. Keep the umbrella closed
An umbrella may be helpful during a long afternoon outdoors, but opening one while play is underway is prohibited. It blocks other people’s view and creates a substantial visual distraction. Deploy it between points or accept that your hat is now performing public service.
5. Cheer for tennis, not someone’s misfortune
Applaud a terrific winner. Go wild after a great rally. Root for your player with your full Queens-born (or Queens-for-the-day) fervor. But celebrating double faults and routine errors is poor form, as are whistles or noises designed to confuse the players.
6. Leave the backpack at home
This one is less etiquette than entry-line self-preservation: backpacks are prohibited at the US Open. Guests may carry one bag measuring no more than 12 by 12 by 16 inches. Reusable metal or plastic water bottles are allowed, as long as they hold 24 ounces or less.
7. Remember: You are not the main event
The US Open welcomes fashion, celebrities, creators and spectacle. But Coco Gauff offered the best rule of thumb: “Follow the etiquette of the sport.” Post all you want—just don’t make two professional athletes pause their match so you can get the lighting right.