The US Open has been buzzing with chatter about influencer antics, but former ESPN star Sam Ponder encountered a different kind of fan faux pas that left her utterly disgusted.
While many spectators have voiced frustration over social media influencers disrupting matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Ponder's experience took an unexpected turn. During a night session this week, she revealed that the man seated behind her decided to kick off his sneakers and prop his bare feet up on her chair, treating the stadium like a personal beach lounger.
“I see everyone angry about the influencers at the US Open but I think I would have rather dealt with that than the man behind me who took his sneakers off and put his smelly feet up on the chair like he was lounging at the beach,” Ponder wrote on X. “The honey deuce + bromodosis collab I did not need.”
Her comment quickly resonated with fans who've dealt with similar breaches of etiquette at sporting events. It's a stark reminder that sometimes the most unexpected annoyances can be the most memorable—and not in a good way.
The influencer debate at the US Open has been heating up, with some calling for a ban on disruptive creators. The USTA has embraced content creators, nearly doubling their credentialed numbers to close to 100 for this year's tournament, plus employing about two dozen to produce official content. This shift has brought a new vibe to the grounds, blending tennis with social media spectacle.
But Ponder's run-in highlights that not all fan behavior issues come from influencers. Sometimes it's just a classic case of poor manners, like the fan who thought his feet belonged on someone else's chair. It's a reminder that common courtesy should never take a backseat, even in the heat of a thrilling match.
The US Open continues through Sept. 13, and while the tennis has been top-notch, off-court drama like this is adding an unexpected layer of entertainment. For now, Ponder's tweet has become a talking point, drawing laughs and sympathy from fans who've had their own stadium horror stories.
As the tournament progresses, it's clear that the US Open is as much about the atmosphere as the athletics. Whether it's influencers filming TikToks or fans with questionable foot hygiene, there's never a dull moment in Flushing Meadows.
