" This piece is a hero for teaching us all what not to do . "
This year’s US Open has been trending forcountless viral celebrity moments, but one spectator accidentally went viral for being unaware of tennis etiquette rules while attending.
During Coco Gauff’s match, a spectator was caught on camera casually walking up the stairs toward the restrooms during a set. The umpire can be heard over the loudspeaker saying, “Sit down please, now, thank you,” and the man turns around, seemingly confused.
Nah , HOW did the camera person chance him that fast 😭 # usopen#funny#tennis
So, apparently, it’s againstaudience ettiequte rulesto get up from one’s seat during a point because it can distract the players and prevent other spectators from being able to see. To be respectful, one should only move around at the end of games and sets or when the players switch ends.
Another user wrote, “Bro, tennis is so petty, like I can’t even stand.”
Some users were triggered by the secondhand embarrassment, writing, “I would still be thinking about this moment 30 years from now at my grandkids 3rd birthday party while the cake is being cut.”
Another user expressed what they would’ve done in this situation, writing, “I honestly didn’t know this rule. I would have said, ‘Are you talking to me?'”
And finally, a user argued that it was unnecessary to call out the man in front of everyone, writing, “Literally they made a bigger distraction telling him not to go to the bathroom then if the poor guy just went.”
After seeing this video, I decided to do some tennis research, and in addition to bathroom breaks, there are other spectator etiquette rules that aren’t exactly common knowledge. For example, phones must remain on silent and camera flashes should never be on, in order to not distract the players. Also, you’re supposed to remain quiet during play and you’re only allowed to applaud once the point is over, according toKeith Prowse, Wimbledon’s official hospitality provider.
