Key Points
- Security for Trump’s arrival delayed the men’s final by about 30 minutes.
- Organizers asked broadcasters not to air hostile crowd reactions.
- Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in four sets to win his second US Open title.
ISLAMABAD: The U.S. Open men’s final in New York began under unusual circumstances, with President Donald Trump’s arrival forcing a half-hour delay and triggering long lines at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Reuters reported that many fans were still outside when play between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner finally started on Sunday.
The former president, seated in a luxury suite, was repeatedly booed whenever his image appeared on the Jumbotron, a reaction that, according to AP News, overshadowed the formalities of the national anthem. The U.S. Tennis Association requested broadcasters minimise focus on the crowd’s response, though the jeers could still be heard.
When play settled, it was Alcaraz who seized control after dropping the opening set, rallying to beat Sinner in four sets and secure his second U.S. Open title in three years. The 22-year-old world No. 1 has now won four Grand Slam championships, cementing his rivalry with Sinner as the sport’s defining new chapter.
The incident added an unusual political subplot to a tournament known for high drama, recalling past celebrity appearances that have stirred reactions at Flushing Meadows—but rarely with such an impact on scheduling.
