The US Open men’s singles final is always a sparkling affair, but this year’s showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Flushing Meadows has taken on an even more electric—and controversial—atmosphere. All eyes aren’t just on the court, but on the stands as well, thanks to the planned attendance of US President Donald Trump. His presence has spurred a swirl of security, media maneuvering, and debate about how much of the off-court drama fans watching at home should actually see.
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, just a day before the highly anticipated final, multiple sources confirmed that the United States Tennis Association (USTA) sent a clear directive to broadcasters: do not show any protests, disruptions, or crowd reactions—positive or negative—in response to President Trump’s attendance. This request, detailed in an internal USTA email obtained by several media outlets, was sent to major networks including Sky Sports and ESPN. The message was unequivocal: “We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity, including ENG [Electronic News Gathering] coverage.”
This isn’t just a matter of routine crowd control. The USTA’s memo, as reported by The Athletic and Bounces, specifically addresses the potential for on-air embarrassment or controversy, given Trump’s polarizing reputation and his history at the US Open. The president is expected to be shown on both the World Feed and Ashe Court Feed during the opening national anthem ceremony—one of the loudest and most visible moments of the night. Yet, broadcasters have been told to avoid airing any audience response, especially if it involves dissent or protest.
Why all the fuss? Trump’s last appearance at the US Open was in 2015, when he was famously booed by the crowd during a quarterfinal match between Venus and Serena Williams. That moment made headlines, and organizers seem keen to avoid a repeat on live television. The USTA’s approach this year appears designed to insulate the president from any negative optics and maintain a focus on the tennis itself, at least for viewers at home. “We regularly ask our broadcasters to refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions,” USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre told The Athletic. Still, the specificity of this request—directed at a sitting president with a well-known history of divisive public appearances—has sparked plenty of debate.
Trump’s visit comes at the invitation of a tournament sponsor, widely reported to be Swiss watchmaker Rolex. He’s expected to watch the final from a luxury suite, not as an official guest of the tournament itself. The motivation behind Rolex’s invitation remains the subject of speculation, particularly as the company is said to be keen on currying favor with the president amid ongoing tariff negotiations affecting Swiss imports. The USTA’s email to broadcasters included not just the censorship request, but also the tournament’s social media policy and a talking point confirming that “President Trump is planning to watch the US Open Men’s Singles Final from a suite as a sponsor guest.”
Heightened security is another major theme surrounding Sunday’s final. Attendees have been warned to expect significant increases in security measures, far beyond what’s been in place throughout the tournament so far. The presence of a sitting president always brings additional scrutiny and logistical challenges, but the anticipation of possible protests or disruptions has prompted even more stringent protocols. While the exact details of these measures remain under wraps, fans and media alike have been told to prepare for delays and a more intense security environment around the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
But what about the players? Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off a semi-final victory over Novak Djokovic, was asked about the president’s impending visit. He struck a diplomatic and focused tone, telling reporters, “It is a privilege for the tournaments having the president from every country just to support the tournament, to support tennis, and to support the match. For me, playing in front of him... so, to be honest, I will try to be focused, and I will try not to think about it. I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it, but I think, you know, attending the tennis match, it’s great for tennis to have the president into the final.”
Alcaraz’s comments echo a sentiment that many in the tennis world share: while the presence of a world leader can bring prestige and attention to the sport, it can also add pressure and distraction, especially for players on the biggest stage. Jannik Sinner, his opponent in Sunday’s final, has not publicly commented on the president’s attendance, but both men are no strangers to the spotlight. This marks the third consecutive grand slam final in which they’ve faced each other, a testament to their growing rivalry and the high stakes of the match itself.
Still, there’s no denying that Trump’s visit threatens to overshadow the athletic drama unfolding on court. Some fans and commentators have expressed concern that the focus on security, censorship, and presidential stagecraft could take away from what should be a celebration of tennis excellence. “Trump’s visit threatens to take some of the spotlight away from Alcaraz and Sinner, who are meeting in a third successive grand slam final,” one report noted.
The USTA’s directive has also raised questions about transparency and the role of broadcasters in covering live sporting events. While it’s common for networks to avoid showing streakers or off-court disruptions, the explicit request to suppress any reaction to a high-profile political figure is unusual. ESPN, one of the major rights holders, reportedly planned to acknowledge Trump’s presence as it would any other VIP guest, but otherwise focus coverage on the match itself. According to a source familiar with ESPN’s production plans, “it planned to show Trump and acknowledge his presence as it usually would during sporting events, and to cover play on the court as normal.”
Of course, in the age of smartphones and social media, official broadcast feeds aren’t the only way fans experience live events. As one outlet observed, “mobile phone footage from fans inside the stadium will surely reveal the truth.” Even if television viewers see a carefully curated version of the night, the reality of the crowd’s reaction—be it cheers, boos, or indifference—could quickly spread online, beyond the reach of any broadcaster’s control.
Trump’s engagement with sport has only increased during his second term, and his appearance at the US Open final is part of a packed schedule of high-profile New York sports events. He’s also expected at Yankee Stadium on September 11 for the anniversary game between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers, and at the first day of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage later this month. His recent presence at the soccer Club World Cup final in July, where he delivered the trophy to Chelsea, further highlights his ongoing efforts to maintain a prominent public profile through sport.
As the US Open men’s final gets underway, the drama is playing out on and off the court. While Alcaraz and Sinner prepare to battle for grand slam glory, the tennis world—and much of the nation—will be watching to see how the story of Trump’s attendance unfolds. One thing’s for sure: whether the cameras catch it or not, the buzz around Flushing Meadows tonight will be impossible to ignore.
