Donald Trump made a high-profile return to the U.S. Open, attending the men’s singles final for the first time in a decade. His appearance sparked debate, delays, and editorial scrutiny that overshadowed what should’ve been a pure sporting spectacle.
Attendance & Match Delay
Trump entered Arthur Ashe Stadium as a guest in a sponsor’s luxury suite, marking a rare presidential appearance since 2015. Due to intense security measures, thousands of fans experienced long delays, traffic issues, and entry bottlenecks, delaying the high-stakes final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.AP NewsAxiosThe Times
Mixed Crowd Reaction
When Trump appeared on the stadium’s jumbotron during the national anthem, reactions ranged from boos to subdued cheers. The tense atmosphere reflected deep political divides and transformed a tennis match into a moment of cultural clash.The Daily BeastThe Times of India+1The IndependentAxios
Broadcast Censorship Controversy
The USTA reportedly instructed broadcasters to withhold any crowd reactions—cheers or jeers—during Trump’s appearance, aiming to keep the spotlight on the match. This led to accusations of censorship and attempts to sanitize coverage. The White House denied any involvement in pressuring broadcasters.ReutersNew York PostABC Newsbenrothenberg.com
Impact on the US Open Experience
- Match Timing: The delayed start and crowd disruptions frustrated fans and raised questions about the influence of political presence on sporting events.The TimesAxios
- Trump’s Behavior: Onlookers captured moments of Trump smirking and even closing his eyes during action on court, leading to viral “sleepy Trump” memes.Hindustan Times
- Political Overtones: Martina Navratilova criticized Trump’s reaction (or lack thereof) to Carlos Alcaraz’s victory, calling it out of envy.The Times of India
Final Thoughts
Donald Trump’s return to the US Open turned a grand sporting event into a flashpoint of political optics. Between security delays, crowd polarization, and broadcast edits, the focus shifted from the court to the controversy surrounding his appearance.