President Donald Trump attended the U.S. Open men’s final Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, drawing a noticeable mix of cheers and boos from fans in the stands. The polarized reaction was expected — and telling.
Security Pushes Match Back 30 Minutes
Trump’s appearance brought heightened security to the event. As a result, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) delayed the start of the match by 30 minutes to ensure the crowd could enter and find seats safely. The match was originally slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
This level of security is not routine for the tournament and hasn’t been seen since President Bill Clinton attended in 2000 — the last time a sitting U.S. president showed up for the U.S. Open final.
USTA Tells Broadcasters to Keep It Quiet
In a move raising eyebrows, the USTA reportedly instructed broadcasters not to air the crowd’s audible response to Trump’s entrance — neither the applause nor the boos. According to officials, the intent was to keep the focus squarely on the athletes and the match.
But the policy of muting real-time crowd reactions — especially those connected to a high-profile political figure — invites questions. Critics argue it amounts to stage-managing public perception and sanitizing an event that, by nature, reflects raw, unscripted emotion. Supporters say it helps preserve the integrity and neutrality of a sports broadcast.
A Political Undertone at Center Court
Trump’s presence at a major sporting event — and the media management that followed — underscores a larger dynamic: political figures can’t enter the public arena without drawing controversy, and institutions are increasingly inclined to control the optics.
Whether the USTA’s decision helped the sport or hindered public trust is up for debate. What’s clear is that in today’s environment, even a tennis match can’t escape the political crosswinds.