Wimbledon warns influencers: no shoots, Commandos on guard

Wimbledon will use military-trained security to stop influencers staging photo shoots on its famous courts.

The warning came from Richard Atkinson, interim chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, speaking at Leaders Week London. He joked that the Royal Marine Commandos who help guard the Championships would like "nothing more than to sort out" disruptive creators, according to the BBC.

No TikToks in Centre Court. That was the message.

Wimbledon has no accreditation category for influencers. That is the pass system that decides who gets official access to cover or create content at a tournament. It is a clear split from the US Open, which accredited 100 influencers and content creators for this year's event in New York.

The contrast sharpened after a US Open match involving two-time champion Naomi Osaka was disrupted by a group of influencers conducting a photo shoot. Atkinson pointed to that incident as the kind of behaviour Wimbledon wants to keep out.

Wimbledon is not shutting the gates entirely. Atkinson called influencers a "crucial part of the marketing mix" and said banning them from attending would be "nonsense". Brand-invited creators, such as Polo Ralph Lauren's influencer, are still welcomed but tightly chaperoned around the grounds.

The rules for everyone else are strict. Fans will not be allowed to bring portable ring lights, the small round lamps used to brighten selfies and videos. Wimbledon also prohibits tripods, monopods, flash photography and long lenses, as reported by PetaPixel.

Anyone who tries to film TikToks in Centre Court could face intervention from security, according to LBC.

For fans, this means the old quiet still applies. Wimbledon wants phones away and eyes on the rally. The back wall holds.