US President Donald Trump has been met with a mix of boos and cheers after causing delays while attending the US Open final.
Thousands of ticket holders had to go through extra security, which created a massive queue build-up outside the gates of New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium ahead of the match early on Monday (Australian time).
The blockbuster men’s singles final between the world’s top two players, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, was pushed back by more than half an hour.
There were increased security checks at entrances to the grounds and also into the arena building.
When the first point was finally played, there were many empty seats, with the 24,000-capacity arena only about two-thirds full.
Trump is the first president in 25 years to attend the Open final – with Bill Clinton’s attendance at Flushing Meadows in 2000 behing the last.
When Trump appeared in the stands, the crowd erupted with a mix of loud cheers and booing.
Trump was also booed when he appeared on the big screen during the US national anthem.
The White House disputed reports of booing and accused the “Fake News Losers” of lying.
“Their pea-sized brains have been irreversibly destroyed by TDS [Trump derangement syndrome],” it said.
It was earlier reported that TV stations broadcasting the US Open had been issued with directives not to air any audience reaction to Trump’s attendance.
The United States Tennis Association, which hosts the event, told media to “refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance”, according to People.
The final was between top-seeded Jannik Sinner and world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in a hard-court showdown that determined the top ranking.
Sinner has been close to unbeatable the past two seasons — except against Alcaraz, who leads their head-to-head series 9-5. It was the third grand slam tournament in a row where these elite, young rivals met to decide the champion.
In the end Alcaraz easily reasserted his superiority over Sinner with a 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory for his second trophy at Flushing Meadows and sixth overall at a major.
The Spaniard also leads the tour in wins (60) and titles (six) in 2025, and has reached the finals at his past eight tournaments.
“It’s something that I’m working on, just the consistency on the matches, on the tournaments, on the year, in general, just not having up-and-downs in the match,” Alcaraz said after his semi-final win over Novak Djokovic.
“I’m thinking I’m doing that in this tournament, which I’m really proud about,” added Alcaraz, who didn’t drop a set in the past fortnight, thanks in part to an ever-improving serve.
“Probably, I’m just getting mature.”
-with AAP
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