President Donald Trump made an appearance at the U.S. Open on Sunday, stepping out of his VIP box to wave at the crowd during the men’s final. The event drew a mix of cheers and boos from attendees, with some fans expressing disapproval despite the president’s brief presence.
Trump was observed waving at a main court crowd as the Arthur Ashe Stadium remained only partially filled. His exit from the luxury box was unannounced, and his interaction with the audience was short-lived, leaving many spectators unaware of his presence. The president attended as a guest of Rolex, despite recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Swiss products. Organizers reportedly sought to minimize visible backlash against him during the televised broadcast.
The men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner faced delays due to heightened security measures, pushing the match back by 45 minutes. Trump arrived well before the rescheduled start time, observing the event from Rolex’s suite. The United States Tennis Association requested fans and media to arrive early to manage crowd control, with all bags subjected to thorough screening upon entry.
Conservative and liberal audiences on social media debated whether Trump was booed or cheered during his appearance, with reports indicating a divided response. No sitting U.S. president had attended the U.S. Open final since Bill Clinton in 2000.
