U.S. President Donald Trump drew boos from fans and caused significant security delays during his appearance at the men’s singles final of the U.S. Open in New York on Sunday. The highly anticipated championship match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner was pushed back by 30 minutes as thousands of attendees faced long lines due to enhanced screening measures implemented by the Secret Service.
Trump, wearing a dark suit and trademark red tie, emerged from his suite about 45 minutes before play began. His brief appearance drew a mix of jeers and scattered cheers, though the crowd was still sparse at that time. He was shown again on the big screens during the national anthem, where loud boos intensified. Trump responded with a salute and a smirk, before taking his seat on the suite’s balcony.
Throughout the match, Trump kept a low profile, applauding sparingly even during the dramatic points that energized the 24,000-seat stadium. When cameras showed him again after the first set, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with fans booing and whistling as Trump raised his fist in response.
The U.S. Tennis Association acknowledged fan frustrations, saying organizers had asked broadcasters to limit coverage of “off-court disruptions.” The Secret Service later confirmed that protecting the president required a “comprehensive effort” that contributed to delays.
Trump attended the match as a guest of Rolex, despite his administration’s recent 39% tariff on Swiss products — a move that has strained U.S.-Swiss trade relations. The president’s reliance on high-profile sporting events for public appearances has become a hallmark of his second term, following visits this year to the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, UFC fights, and the NCAA wrestling championships.
Although no large protests occurred outside the stadium, the crowd reaction inside reflected Trump’s polarizing presence. Some fans openly avoided wearing red U.S. Open merchandise, wary of it being mistaken for “Make America Great Again” caps. Celebrities such as Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Shonda Rhimes, Martha Stewart, and Jon Hamm were also in attendance, though their appearances focused on tennis rather than politics.
Trump, a Queens native who has long ties to the U.S. Open, had not attended the tournament since 2015, when he was similarly booed months after launching his first presidential campaign. His return this year underlined both his enduring connection to New York sports culture and the deep divisions his presence continues to generate.