Flushing Meadows, N.Y. — President Donald Trump made a notable return to the U.S. Open on Sunday, marking his first appearance at the prestigious tennis tournament in a decade. This visit adds to his recent engagements with significant sporting events during his second term in office. As Trump walked out of a prominent suite, he elicited a mixed reaction from fans, just under an hour before the anticipated match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz was set to begin.
Upon his arrival, Trump clapped and gestured to the crowd with his signature fist pump. While some fans greeted him with applause and took photos, others expressed their discontent by booing. After a brief moment in the suite, Trump made another appearance just before the U.S. national anthem, again met with a mix of cheers and jeers. Notably, he pointed to a spectator donning a “Make America Great Again” hat, which further stirred the crowd's reactions.
During “The Star Spangled Banner,” Trump was featured on the video board, saluting the flag, which prompted an overwhelming mix of boos and cheers that nearly drowned out the anthem until the broadcast returned to the court. Seated just above the rail of his suite, Trump was surrounded by a row of yellow flowers and the championship trophy, accompanied by notable members of his administration.
Among those in attendance were his adviser Jared Kushner, attorney general Pam Bondi, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Ahead of the match, Trump shared updates on Truth Social, mentioning his arrival over the tennis center and discussing topics such as windmills and the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Trump's presence brought additional attention to the event, as uniformed members of the Secret Service were seen both inside and outside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Security measures were heightened, leading to longer lines and a security experience reminiscent of airport screenings. These adjustments ultimately delayed the start of the Alcaraz-Sinner final by 30 minutes, forcing players to modify their preparations.
As Alcaraz claimed the first set, the video board displayed Trump, resulting in a cacophony of boos and cheers that lasted nearly 30 seconds. Trump acknowledged the crowd's response with a mouthed “Thank you” and raised his left fist in acknowledgment. The atmosphere intensified as the video board shifted focus to other celebrities in attendance, including Shaggy, Kevin Hart, Dakota Fanning, and Michael J. Fox.
Interestingly, the jeers and cheers for Trump were not broadcasted by ABC, which was airing the final, as they were on a commercial break at that moment. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) had requested broadcasters to limit coverage of any disruptions or reactions to Trump's attendance. ESPN, which produced the match's broadcast, reportedly planned to acknowledge Trump's presence as they typically would during sporting events.
Trump's invitation to the U.S. Open came from Rolex, a major sponsor of tennis events. This visit marked Trump's first appearance at the Grand Slam tournament since 2015, when he was booed during a quarterfinal match between Venus and Serena Williams. Historically, Trump was a frequent attendee at the U.S. Open, having held a suite for nearly two decades before relinquishing it in 2017, the first year of his presidency.
During his second term, Trump has maintained a significant presence in the sporting world. Following his election victory, his initial high-profile outing was a UFC fight in New York, attended alongside members of his administration. He also attended Super Bowl LIX in February, where he departed at halftime. Additionally, Trump is an enthusiastic supporter of LIV Golf, with his Trump National Doral golf course hosting a league event, and he presented the trophy at the FIFA Club World Cup final in June.
As top players on the ATP Tour, Sinner and Alcaraz not only competed for the coveted U.S. Open title but also for the world No. 1 ranking. Alcaraz expressed that playing in front of Trump was “a privilege,” emphasizing that he would focus on the match itself rather than the president's presence.
In summary, Trump's appearance at the U.S. Open served as a significant event, drawing attention from fans and the media alike, and highlighting the intersection of sports and politics in today's landscape.
