Booted from the US Open

A couple of influencers from New York City reported being expelled from the US Open just two hours after sharing images of their credentials online.

Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens, who run the social media account The VIP List, said they learned their access to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center had been revoked while dining at a partnered restaurant during the tournament.

Radice shared their experience, stating, “We posted our credentials on our story, went to our favorite restaurant, enjoyed a nice steak dinner, and were having a good time. We hadn’t even made it to a match yet.”

“But within two hours of leaving, we found out we could no longer use our credentials. It’s heartbreaking, honestly,” Jongens added.

Both identified themselves as “diehard” tennis fans who were excited to capture content at tennis’s final Grand Slam over a two-week period, which they considered a dream opportunity. They obtained their credentials through a collaboration with a favorite restaurant at the Open and had posted about it on social media.

This year, the United States Tennis Association has significantly increased the number of content creators allowed access, approving around 100 creators compared to 54 in 2025.

Radice mentioned that they were unaware that posting their credentials was against any rules, especially since they had attended the tournament for the past three years. “We just wanted to respect the rules, enjoy ourselves, and share the amazing experiences of the US Open with our followers,” Jongens explained.

Radice expressed her bewilderment, questioning how their credentials could be revoked so quickly before even attending a match. “It was taken away just like that, simply because we wanted to show how good we looked with our credentials,” she remarked.

As of now, the duo has not received any communication from USTA officials following their removal from the event.

This incident comes amid various challenges influencers have caused at this year’s US Open. Just recently, the tournament issued a warning regarding photography and etiquette after an incident during a first-round match, where a group of influencers interrupted play with loud video recordings from a luxury suite. A viral clip even depicted a woman posing for photos with a bright light while the game continued.

Notably, major brands including Moët & Chandon and Ralph Lauren have brought influencers to the tournament this year.

Radice and Jongens have garnered a substantial following on TikTok and Instagram, where they provide candid reviews of New York restaurants. Their reviews have previously included remarks about a chicken dish they labeled as a “hate crime” and a steakhouse experience in the Hamptons that they described as giving them “PTSD.”

“We refuse to be censored,” Radice stated at one point. “We’re just very opinionated.”