NEW YORK — President Donald Trump’s appearance at the U.S. Open men’s final on Sunday drew loud boos from parts of Arthur Ashe Stadium and coincided with heightened security measures that delayed the match and left many spectators stuck in lines outside the venue.
Trump briefly emerged from his suite about 45 minutes before the match started and again shortly before the National Anthem, drawing a mix of boos and cheers from a stadium that was still largely empty. Organizers pushed the start back 30 minutes to accommodate enhanced screening checkpoints that resembled airport security; despite the delay, thousands of fans remained in line as play began and many seats, particularly in the upper rows, stayed vacant for nearly an hour.
The Secret Service said protecting the president “required a comprehensive effort” and acknowledged that the protection measures “may have contributed to delays for attendees,” adding a note of thanks to fans for their patience and understanding. The U.S. Tennis Association asked broadcasters to avoid showcasing off-court disruptions during the telecast. The enhanced security and repeated close-ups of the president on the stadium’s big screens nevertheless drew repeated reactions from the crowd.
Wearing a suit and a long red tie, Trump was briefly shown on the arena’s video screens during the anthem, where some in the crowd booed and shouted as he offered a smirk. He was visible on-screen again after the first set and elicited louder boos and whistles; he raised his left fist in response. Trump then moved back inside the suite, was seen seated at a table with family members and others, and returned to his balcony seat shortly before match point. His reaction to the match’s conclusion was subdued.
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner of Italy to win the men’s final. Cameras flashed on Trump as Alcaraz celebrated, though crowd reaction to the president’s appearance waned as play continued.
Trump attended as a guest of Rolex even though his administration has imposed steep tariffs on Swiss products. The White House declined to comment on the president accepting a corporate invitation; the administration’s 39% tariff on Swiss goods is more than two-and-a-half times higher than levies on European Union exports to the United States and nearly four times higher than tariffs on British exports, according to trade figures cited by organizers.
Among those seated with the president were White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt; Attorney General Pam Bondi; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; special envoy Steve Witkoff; and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Several celebrities also attended the final, including Pink, Bruce Springsteen and Shonda Rhimes. Tournament interviews shown on the stadium’s big screens focused on tennis and pop culture rather than politics.
There were no large street protests visible from the main stadium, and many attendees avoided wearing the president’s signature “Make America Great Again” caps. A fan from the Boston area said she bought a fuchsia U.S. Open cap to avoid confusion with the darker red hats associated with Trump.
The visit followed a pattern of social and sporting appearances that have comprised much of the president’s domestic travel since he returned to the White House in January. Prior stops have included the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, UFC events, the NCAA wrestling championships and the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Trump has a long history with the U.S. Open and with Arthur Ashe Stadium: he was born in Queens and was a frequent presence at the tournament before entering politics, often seated in his family company’s suite during night matches. He had not attended the event since he was booed at a 2015 quarterfinals match, months after launching his first presidential campaign. His family’s business once maintained a suite at the tournament but suspended that arrangement in 2017.