In a highly anticipated appearance, President Donald Trump attended the U.S. Open men’s singles final on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so in 25 years. The visit added a layer of political intrigue to the championship match between the world’s top two players, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
As planned, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) and the tournament’s broadcasters, including ESPN and ABC, made efforts to limit any potential political spectacle. Following a directive from the USTA to “refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions,” broadcast coverage of Trump’s presence was subdued. Networks largely avoided panning to the crowd to gauge a reaction and showed the President’s attendance as a standard sideline event, acknowledging him but not dwelling on his presence.
The Visit and the Reaction
While cameras and broadcast coverage were limited, reports from within the stadium confirmed that Trump received a mixed reception from the crowd in Democratic-leaning New York City. Eyewitness accounts suggest a blend of cheers and boos, with the crowd reaction in line with his previous appearances in the city. The USTA’s pre-emptive move appears to have been successful in its goal of keeping the focus on the match itself.
Trump watched the match from a private suite as a guest of the Swiss watchmaker Rolex, an interesting twist given his administration’s recent imposition of a 39% tariff on Swiss products. His presence did not appear to distract the players, as Sinner and Alcaraz played out an epic final, with Sinner emerging victorious to defend his U.S. Open title. The visit marks another chapter in Trump’s recent public appearances at high-profile sporting events, including the Super Bowl and the Ryder Cup.