Stranded Spectators, Match Delay, Donald Trump in Suite, Trophy Drama Overshadow Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz Remaining
Two of tennis’s brightest stars had been able to battle for the US Open crown, however earlier than Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz may even step on court docket, their championship second was hijacked by chaos. The title match confronted delays, the trophy mysteriously appeared in President Donald Trump’s suite, and 1000’s of pissed off followers discovered themselves trapped in infinite safety strains outdoors Arthur Ashe Stadium, watching their costly tickets flip nugatory.
What Made President Donald Trump’s Attendance Such a Historic and Disruptive Second?
The buildup to the ultimate carried unprecedented weight. Donald Trump’s attendance marked the primary time a sitting U.S. president had appeared on the US Open since Invoice Clinton in 2000. Understanding the political significance, organizers ready for disruption. The U.S. Tennis Affiliation (USTA) dramatically elevated safety measures, putting in airport-style scanners in a single day and implementing further bag checks at each entrance.
The problems grew to become instantly obvious. The match, initially scheduled for two p.m. EDT, was pushed again by half-hour. Officers cited the necessity to “be certain that followers have further time to get to their seats.”
Nonetheless, even with the prolonged timeline, the world’s largest tennis stadium remained solely about two-thirds full when the primary level was performed. In the meantime, 1000’s of ticket holders remained caught in seemingly infinite queues outdoors the venue.
Probably the most weird twist emerged by means of social media documentation. Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg was among the many first to seize the bizarre scenes unfolding at Flushing Meadows.
Posting on X, he revealed that the match trophy had been moved to the balcony of the Rolex suite, the very suite the place Trump was seated as a visitor of the luxurious watch model.
The #USOpen has moved the trophy to contained in the Rolex suite, which is the place Trump is, however absolutely not the place the trophy has ever belonged earlier than throughout a closing. pic.twitter.com/d56lpvLMo2
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 7, 2025
Pictures later confirmed this extraordinary placement, displaying the gleaming silver trophy beside the president.
Past the trophy controversy, Rothenberg documented the human value of the heightened safety. He shared footage of followers navigating the lengthy strains and enduring strict safety checks outdoors the stadium.
The Trump safety strains aren’t transferring outdoors. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/NU3PHprJlN
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 7, 2025
The political pressure adopted followers inside Arthur Ashe Stadium as properly.
Ooh, #USOpen simply confirmed Trump on display once more throughout this set break and there was loud, clear booing this time. pic.twitter.com/DYXmHvGEwq
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 7, 2025
When Trump appeared on the massive display throughout a set break, the boos clearly overpowered the scattered cheers from sections of the group.
How Did the USTA Put together for the President’s Arrival at Flushing Meadows?
Regardless of organizational efforts to attenuate controversy, the group’s response proved unimaginable to manage. The USTA had instructed broadcasters to not air fan reactions to Trump’s presence by means of an inner e mail asking networks to “chorus from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance.”
Nonetheless, attendees at Arthur Ashe Stadium left little question about their emotions. The identical sample emerged earlier through the nationwide anthem, when Trump’s look on display triggered one other wave of loud disapproval.
This return marked a major second in Trump’s relationship with the match. Trump, who gave up his personal suite on the US Open in 2017 throughout his first presidential time period, had been an everyday fixture on the occasion for practically 20 years.
His final look earlier than returning as president occurred in 2015, when he was additionally loudly booed throughout a quarterfinal between Serena Williams and Venus Williams, simply months after launching his first presidential marketing campaign. This 12 months, he returned accompanied by senior White Home figures, remodeling the ambiance inside Arthur Ashe Stadium from purely sporting to unmistakably political.
Regardless of the in depth off-court drama overshadowing the occasion, the championship match finally proceeded as deliberate. Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to seize his second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam general. The victory additionally propelled the Spaniard again to World No. 1, ending Sinner’s 65-week reign on the prime of the rankings.
