The men’s US Open final has been delayed by extra security measures as Donald Trump’s arrival was met by cheers and boos from fans at Flushing Meadows.
The match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the top two players in the world, was pushed back by half an hour in New York on Sunday.
The US president was greeted with a mix of cheers and boos from early arriving spectators when he waved from a suite at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Crowds waiting to enter the Arthur Ashe Stadium for the US Open men’s singles final. Pic: AP
Increased security checks at entrances to the grounds and to get into the arena building prompted the US Tennis Association to move the start time to 2.30pm, local time, instead of 2pm.
Organisers said it was “to ensure that fans have additional time to get to their seats.”
A spokesperson for the US Tennis Association said it “was not a request made by the White House”.
Movie star Ben Stiller. Pic: AP
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Pic: AP
Despite the change, the 24,000-capacity arena was only about two-thirds full when the first point was played, while thousands of fans still were standing outside the court, waiting in line to enter.
Mr Trump is the first sitting president to attend the tournament at Flushing Meadows since Bill Clinton in 2000.
Anna Wintour. Pic: AP
Always a big celebrity draw, the final attracted, among others, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, former Vogue editor Anna Wintour, Hollywood stars Ben Stiller and Danny DeVito, director Spike Lee and basketball player Steph Curry.
Sinner, 24, is trying to become the first player to win the title two years running since Roger Federer’s five in a row from 2004.
If he wins, it will be the Italian’s third Grand Slam title of the season, to go with the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and the fifth of his career.
Carlos Alcaraz. Pic: AP
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Jannik Sinner. Pic: AP
Alcaraz, 22, is aiming for his sixth major trophy overall and second of 2025, after the French Open.
The Spaniard’s first Slam title came in New York in 2022 as a teenager, after he beat Sinner in the quarterfinals.
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