President Donald Trump attended the U.S. Open men’s singles final Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, drawing a mix of cheers and boos as organizers and broadcasters took steps to limit on-air crowd reactions.
Trump, 79, sat in a private corporate suite and emerged before the match to acknowledge the crowd. The United States Tennis Association emailed broadcasters, including ESPN and Sky Sports, asking them not to showcase disruptions or reactions to the president’s presence, and the tournament delayed the scheduled 2 p.m. start to 2:30 p.m. as security measures were increased.
Tournament officials said the stepped-up precautions were precautionary. News reports quoting U.S. Open sources described planners assessing a range of potential threats, including concerns about chemical agents, and said they coordinated with federal partners in carrying out preparations. Organizers did not cite a specific, credible threat tied to the president’s attendance.
Trump arrived in New York earlier Sunday and was a guest of sponsor Rolex in the stadium suite. His appearance marked his first time at the Grand Slam tournament since 2015, when he and then-wife Melania were jeered by much of the crowd. The president has increased his public appearances at major sporting events since winning re-election, with plans reported for additional New York stops, including a visit to Yankee Stadium on Sept. 11 and attendance at the Ryder Cup later in September.
On the court, the final pitted Jannik Sinner against Carlos Alcaraz, two players who have emerged as leading figures in the post-Federer and Nadal era. Alcaraz, who advanced to the final after defeating Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, said ahead of the match that he saw a sitting president at a tournament as "a privilege" and that he would try not to let the attendance affect his play.
Media coverage of the match faced scrutiny after the USTA advisory, with some broadcasters complying by avoiding shots that focused on crowd reactions. The move prompted debate about how live sports coverage handles high-profile political figures and the balance between event operations and editorial discretion.
Political reactions were visible at the stadium, where the largely New York-area crowd produced both applause and jeers. Trump’s 2015 appearance drew widespread criticism in some quarters after supporters of his earlier presidential campaign were met with vocal disapproval at the tournament; Sunday’s reception reflected the continued political polarization surrounding presidential appearances in traditionally nonpolitical public forums.
Organizers emphasized that the security measures and broadcast advisory were intended to protect the safety of attendees and the integrity of the event. The match proceeded under the modified schedule, and tournament officials said they would continue to coordinate with law enforcement and partner agencies as warranted.
