President Donald Trump’s appearance at the U.S. Open men’s final on Sunday prompted loud boos and contributed to enhanced security checks that left thousands of ticket-holders waiting in long lines and many missing the start of play.
Organizers delayed the scheduled start by about 30 minutes to allow attendees extra time to pass through intensified screening, but thousands remained stuck outside Arthur Ashe Stadium when the match began. The Secret Service said protecting the president “required a comprehensive effort” that “may have contributed to delays for attendees,” and thanked fans for their patience.
Trump, wearing a suit and a long red tie, emerged from his suite multiple times before play began and was met with a mixture of boos and cheers from a stadium that was still only partially filled. He was briefly shown on the arena’s video screens as the crowd sang the national anthem and again after the first set, when boos and whistles intensified and he raised a left fist in response. News outlets and social media posted clips showing audible booing during those moments.
The U.S. Tennis Association asked broadcasters to refrain from showcasing negative reactions to the president’s attendance, noting that it regularly requests that broadcasters avoid highlighting off-court disruptions. The association also said it had taken steps to manage security and fan entry but did not provide further operational details.
Celebrities and high-profile guests were among those affected by the increased screening. Several attendees, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas and Ben Stiller, were reported to have waited in line, while actor Debra Messing said she was held in her car for about an hour before officials allowed her to enter. Other celebrities in attendance included Mindy Kaling, Bruce Springsteen, B.J. Novak, Sting, Pink and Shonda Rhimes.
Trump attended as a guest of Rolex and was accompanied at times by members of his administration, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Jared Kushner and the president’s granddaughter Arabella were also seated with him.
Organizers’ decision to delay the match followed what attendees described as airport-style security screenings and additional patrols associated with presidential protections. Many seats, especially in the upper bowl, remained empty for nearly an hour. Some fans said they deliberately avoided wearing the president’s signature red caps; one spectator told reporters she chose a fuchsia U.S. Open cap so it would not be mistaken for a political statement.
The appearance marked Trump’s return to Arthur Ashe Stadium since he was booed there in 2015 while attending a match with then-wife Melania Trump. The Trump Organization previously maintained a suite at the U.S. Open but suspended it in 2017. Trump was born in Queens and has a lengthy history of attending the tournament as a private citizen and real estate developer.
Trump’s attendance at high-profile sporting events has been a recurring feature of his second term, with previous outings that included the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, UFC events, the NCAA wrestling championships and international soccer matches. Those appearances have drawn mixed reactions from crowds.
News accounts noted a potential conflict between Trump’s acceptance of Rolex’s invitation and his administration’s trade policy: the administration has recently imposed higher tariffs on Swiss imports, including a roughly 39% tariff on certain Swiss products, a move that affects Switzerland-based companies such as Rolex.
Television coverage and social media captured the crowd’s audible reactions, but the U.S. Tennis Association and broadcasters sought to limit the prominence of those moments on the national telecast. Officials at the tournament said the reactions did not rise to the level of a major disruption and that play continued without incident.
The match concluded with spectators gradually leaving Arthur Ashe Stadium; tournament officials and the Secret Service did not immediately indicate whether they would change security or entry procedures for future high-profile attendees.