The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown at the 2025 U.S. Open men’s singles final, and the electric atmosphere in New York is reaching fever pitch. As tennis fans from around the world descend on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, all eyes are on the highly anticipated clash between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner. Yet, it’s not just the battle for the world No. 1 ranking that’s turning heads—this year’s final boasts a guest list that’s making as many headlines as the action on the court.
President Donald Trump, currently serving his second, non-consecutive term in the White House, is expected to attend Sunday’s final as a client guest, marking a rare appearance for a sitting U.S. president at the Grand Slam event. The presence of President Trump at the men’s final on September 7, 2025, has triggered heightened security measures throughout the venue. Visitors are being greeted by enhanced bag checks and TSA-style screenings at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with officials warning of longer wait times for fans eager to witness history in the making.
Trump’s appearance at the U.S. Open is not without precedent. He was previously spotted courtside at the Williams sisters’ match a decade ago, and he’s long been a fixture at major sporting events, from UFC to NASCAR, football, and even soccer. Just this summer, he found himself at the forefront of Chelsea’s Club World Cup trophy lift at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, underscoring his penchant for high-profile sporting moments. Looking ahead, Trump is slated to preside over two of the world’s most significant sporting spectacles: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, both set to unfold before his current term concludes in January 2029.
For Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, the chance to play in front of a sitting U.S. president is a career milestone. The 22-year-old world No. 2 didn’t hide his excitement but remained focused on the task at hand. “It is a privilege for the tournaments having the presidents from every country [there] to support the tournaments, to support tennis and to support the match,” Alcaraz remarked when asked about Trump’s attendance. “To be honest, I will try not to be focused, and I will try not to think about it. I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it. I think attending the tennis match, I think it’s great for tennis to have the president into the final.”
Alcaraz’s tactful approach comes as he prepares for a third consecutive Grand Slam final against his Italian rival, Jannik Sinner. The two have traded blows at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon earlier in the season, and now, under the bright lights of New York, they’ll face off once more with the world No. 1 ranking and U.S. Open glory on the line. Sinner, who has held the top spot since June 2024, is enjoying a historic run. By Sunday’s end, the 24-year-old will have competed in five straight Slam finals, joining an elite club that includes Rod Laver, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic as the only men to reach all four Slam finals in a single calendar year.
“Amazing. Amazing season. Grand slams are the most important tournaments we have throughout the year,” Sinner said during his on-court interview. “Finding myself in another final here, with an amazing crowd, doesn’t matter when you play. It doesn’t get any better.” His words capture both the magnitude of the moment and the relentless drive that’s propelled him to the top of the sport.
But the action on the court isn’t the only spectacle at this year’s U.S. Open. The stands have been packed with an eclectic mix of Hollywood elites and cultural icons, many with outspoken views on the nation’s political landscape. Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles was spotted supporting Coco Gauff during her second-round victory on August 28, 2025. Biles, who recently made headlines for her public social media exchange with OutKick host Riley Gaines over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, continues to be a lightning rod for both praise and criticism. “All of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” Biles wrote to Gaines in a widely circulated post, before adding, “You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”
The celebrity contingent didn’t stop there. Actor Alec Baldwin, a frequent critic of President Trump, attended the tournament and continued his pointed commentary on social media, warning followers about Trump’s “insane” influence over the Washington, D.C., police force and speculating about broader impacts on cities and even sports leagues. Late-night host Stephen Colbert, never one to shy away from controversy, also made an appearance. In his signature style, Colbert lambasted the president’s recent comments about Chicago, declaring on his show, “Yesterday, Donald Trump made a hard right onto the fascism freeway, announcing that he will deploy National Guard troops to Chicago. Worst and most dangerous? Two words: ‘F--- you!’”
Shonda Rhimes, the creative force behind “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” was seen in the stands as well, having reportedly severed ties with the Kennedy Center earlier in the year after Trump was named chairman. The presence of these cultural heavyweights underscores the U.S. Open’s evolution into a magnet for both sports and societal discourse.
Managing this high-wattage guest list is no easy feat. USTA Director of International Development Amanda Wight described the celebrity program as “our biggest marketing tool.” She explained, “Every agent under the sun has my number. They track every person that comes on site. What they are posting, who they are tagging, who they are coming with. Then we are able to get a value of what the program is worth to us.” According to Wight, the men’s final is the most coveted ticket of the season, and this year’s edition—with President Trump in attendance—has only amplified its allure.
Despite the glitz and political undertones, the USTA remains steadfast in its invitation policy. “Regardless of political affiliation, the USTA does not invite any New York city or state politicians unless they have a formal role at the event (in prior years the mayor greeted the crowd on opening night),” a spokesperson told the press. “As federal employees are limited in what they can accept, we offer those who ask the opportunity to purchase tickets. Additionally, individuals may be the invited guests of someone else (sponsors, seat holders, etc), over which we have no control.”
As the clock ticks down to the 2 p.m. ET start, anticipation is at an all-time high. With a star-studded crowd, unprecedented security, and the world’s top tennis talents vying for supremacy, the 2025 U.S. Open men’s final is shaping up to be an unforgettable chapter in the tournament’s storied history. Will Alcaraz seize his moment, or can Sinner cement his place among the game’s legends? One thing’s for sure—New York is ready for a Grand Slam spectacle unlike any other.
