Wimbledon to Deploy Military-Trained Security Against Influencers Disrupting Matches

Wimbledon will use military-trained security to prevent influencers from staging disruptive photo shoots during matches, following chaotic scenes at this year's U.S. Open. Richard Atkinson, interim chief executive of the All England Club, said at the Leaders Week conference that behavior like that seen at Flushing Meadows, where influencers with ring lights interrupted play, would not be tolerated in London. "If you try to do that at Wimbledon, I think you'd probably have some Royal Marine Commando [stopping you]," Atkinson said, noting that military personnel already serve as stewards and would relish the task. At the U.S. Open, an umpire had to quiet a group in a suite during Naomi Osaka's match as they performed a TikTok routine; Osaka later commented on the importance of tennis etiquette. Wimbledon prohibits ring lights, tripods, monopods, flash photography, and long lenses. While the tournament does not plan to accredit influencers, some attend as guests of partner brands. Atkinson emphasized that influencers are vital for global brand building but must be controlled, citing Polo Ralph Lauren's practice of chaperoning them. He added that Wimbledon's marketing team ensures influencer activities align with the brand, calling it self-policing. The comments were reported by The Telegraph.