The real reason why two influencers lost their US Open credentials

It’s not all fun and games at Flushing Meadows.

Influencers Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens, the women behind the social media account The VIP List, said Friday that they were kicked out of the U.S. Open two hours after posting photos of their credentials online.

The pair received their credentials through a partnership with a restaurant and planned to make content over two weeks in Flushing Meadows in a “dream” opportunity.

But according to USTA, Radice and Jongens were never properly credentialed in the first place.

Influencers Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens, of the Instagram account The VIP List, at the U.S. Open. The women say they were kicked out of the tournament after posting photos of their credentials online. @theviplist/Instagram

“These individuals were not credentialed as media or content creators,” the USTA said in a statement to The Post. “They were improperly submitted for credentials on a staff list provided by a food vendor. Vendors are not permitted to credential media, content creators, or outside individuals as part of their staff.

“We review credentials throughout the tournament to ensure compliance with all US Open policies. When we identified that these individuals had been improperly credentialed, their access was revoked and vendors were reminded of our policy.”

Though Radice and Jongens didn’t have media credentials, the terms of the passes stipulate that they are not allowed to be photographed and shared online.

The incident is just the latest in a string of controversies surrounding influencers at the U.S. Open this year. Though the tennis calendar’s final Grand Slam is known for its loud and raucous atmosphere, players and fellow spectators have taken exception to certain fan behavior.

A video shared on TikTok shows a woman using a large, bright light to capture content during Naomi Osaka’s match. TikTok/@katticuspfinch

On Monday, a chair umpire had to pause Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Zakharova’s first-round match to ask a group of influencers in a suite to stop using distracting floodlights to film themselves during play.

A public notice was issued at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to “please refrain from the use of flash photography or other lighting during match play. Thank you and enjoy the tennis!”

Influencers at the US Open stirred buzz for filming content during the first-round match between Naomi Osaka and Anastasia Zakharova at the US Open in New York on Monday, August 31, 2026. TikTok/

“I can appreciate one side of it, but I think we have the other side literally interrupting matches, it gets a little tough,” American Jessica Pegula said.

According to the tournament and the influencers themselves, Radice and Jongens didn’t cause issues outside of the improper credentials in the two hours before they were asked to leave the grounds.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *