The 2025 US Open men’s singles final at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City wasn’t just about world-class tennis—it became a collision of sport, politics, and media, all under the watchful eyes of fans and cameras. On Sunday, September 7, President Donald Trump, 79, made a high-profile return to the tournament as a guest of Rolex, the luxury Swiss watchmaker, stirring anticipation and controversy before a single serve was struck between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner.
This year’s final, which began at 2 p.m. ET, was already a marquee matchup, pitting the 22-year-old Spanish sensation Alcaraz against the defending champion Sinner, 24, of Italy. Yet, the presence of Trump—his first US Open appearance since 2015—added an unmistakable layer of intrigue. Back in 2015, Trump, then a presidential candidate, was greeted by a chorus of boos so loud that it made headlines and prompted ESPN’s live broadcast to linger on his reaction. Since then, he hadn’t attended the tournament, making his 2025 return all the more notable.
But this year, things played out differently on the airwaves. Days before the final, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) sent a clear, internal directive to all broadcasters, including ESPN and Sky Sports: “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.” The USTA’s plan was to show Trump during the opening anthem ceremony, one of the event’s most boisterous moments, but to otherwise shield the broadcast from any audience reaction—be it cheers, boos, or protests.
USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre explained the policy, stating, “We regularly ask our broadcasters to refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions.” This approach, the USTA emphasized, wasn’t unique to Trump; the organization has a standing policy to minimize distractions and keep the focus on the competition. Still, the timing and specificity of the request sparked debate among fans and commentators, especially given Trump’s polarizing public profile and the tournament’s history.
Trump’s presence at the final was not just a matter of personal interest. He attended as a guest of Rolex, the US Open’s prominent sponsor, despite having recently imposed a steep 39% tariff on Swiss imports, including Rolex watches. The invitation from Rolex came mere weeks after the Trump administration’s new tariff policy—a move that’s been criticized for complicating Switzerland’s trade relationship with the US and raising questions about the intersection of politics, business, and sport. The White House declined to comment on Trump’s acceptance of a corporate invitation at such a high-profile event.
For Trump, the US Open appearance was part of a broader strategy in his second term. Rather than focusing on traditional policy speeches or campaign rallies, he’s chosen to make his mark at major sporting events. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has been a fixture at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia, and even the FIFA Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. His affinity for the spotlight at these events is well documented, and his attendance often provokes a mix of adulation and dissent from the crowds.
Alcaraz, for his part, handled the added attention with poise. Speaking to reporters before the final, he said, “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.” He added, “For me, playing in front of him… to be honest, I will try not to think about it. I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it.” Alcaraz’s diplomatic tone reflected the respect for the office, if not necessarily the man, and underscored the global nature of the event. “It’s great for tennis to have the president into the final,” he concluded.
As the match unfolded, Trump watched from the comfort of the Rolex suite, a vantage point once familiar to him during his years as a New York real estate mogul and reality TV star. In the past, Trump and his family maintained a private suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but that arrangement ended in 2017 during his first presidential term. Now, with his sons managing the Trump Organization and his return to the White House, the president’s relationship with the tournament has shifted, but his appetite for the spotlight remains undiminished.
The USTA’s efforts to control the narrative extended beyond the tennis court. Instructing broadcasters to avoid showing crowd reactions—positive or negative—was seen by some as an attempt to sidestep controversy and keep the focus on the athletes. Others, however, viewed it as a form of censorship, especially given the US Open’s raucous history and New York’s reputation for vocal sports fans. The debate mirrored broader tensions in American society, where sports, politics, and media frequently intersect in unpredictable ways.
Trump’s schedule remains packed with high-profile sports appearances. Following the US Open, he was rumored to be attending the New York Yankees versus Detroit Tigers game at Yankee Stadium on September 11, in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Later in the month, he’s expected at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Long Island. Looking ahead to 2026, Trump announced plans to host a UFC cage match on the White House South Lawn as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations—a move that’s sure to attract both fervent supporters and vocal critics.
It’s worth noting that having a sitting president at the US Open is a rare occurrence. The last time it happened was in 2000, when Bill Clinton attended the tournament. Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, made an appearance at the opening night in 2023, but Trump’s presence as a sitting president at the men’s final is a first in a quarter-century.
As for the match itself, Carlos Alcaraz ultimately triumphed over Jannik Sinner, adding another chapter to his rapidly growing legacy. But for many, the story of the 2025 US Open men’s final will be remembered as much for the off-court drama as for the on-court heroics. The intersection of politics, business, and sport was on full display, with the world watching—albeit through a carefully curated lens.
With the dust settling and the crowd’s reactions largely unseen by the television audience, the 2025 US Open men’s final stands as a testament to the evolving relationship between sports and society. Whether this approach to broadcast coverage will become the norm remains to be seen, but for now, all eyes are on the next serve—both on the court and in the ongoing spectacle of American public life.
