US Open final delayed due to security measures ahead of Donald Trump's arrival in New York

1 week ago 7

By JAKE NISSE, US SPORTS WRITER and EMMA RICHTER, US NEWS REPORTER and MATTHEW LAMBWELL, TENNIS REPORTER

Published: 18:39 BST, 7 September 2025 | Updated: 19:02 BST, 7 September 2025

The US Open has delayed Sunday's men's final amid the extra security measures in place to prepare for President Donald Trump's arrival.

The tournament has increased security measures for the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, which was initially supposed to begin at 2pm local time.

However, tournament organizers announced on Sunday that the match was being pushed back to 2:30.

In anticipation of the president's arrival, all entrants of Arthur Ashe Arena were asked to empty their pockets and go through airport-style scanners.

That resulted in massive lines with hundreds of fans waiting to get into the stadium. 

Trump, who was seen arriving at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Sunday after stepping off Air Force One, was later spotted inside Arthur Ashe Stadium ahead of the match. 

However, the stands of the 23,000-capacity stadium were still nearly empty around a half hour before the revised start time of the match. 

It's the first time Trump has attended the US Open since 2015. 

President Donald Trump was spotted in Arthur Ashe ahead of the men's final on Sunday

Trump waved from the stands before Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took the court

A US Open insider previously told the Daily Mail that tournament made preparations against a possible nerve agent threat.

'We've been scoping out the area with our colleagues in the CIA and taking precautions in the event of an attack using chemical weapons or nerve agents,' the insider said.

The preparations are precautionary and are not understood to relate to any specific threat made against the commander-in-chief.

Ahead of the match, Spanish star Alcaraz spoke about Trump's plans to watch the final.

'It is a privilege for the tournaments having the president from every country... to support the tournament, to support tennis, and to support the match,' he initially told reporters when quizzed about Trump after his win over Novak Djokovic.

'For me, playing in front of him... to be honest, I will try not to think about it. I don't want... to be nervous because of it.

'But I think... it's great for tennis to have the president into the final.'

Trump was not invited to the match by the tournament itself, but as the guest of Rolex, the Swiss luxury watch brand and major sponsor.

He was meet with a chorus of boos the last time he attended the tennis tournament in majority-Democrat New York a decade ago, and the United States Tennis Association has taken precautions ahead of a similar possible response.

Tournament organizers, as first reported by Bounces, sent out an email to broadcasters, such as ESPN and Sky Sports, stating that broadcasters must censor any protests or reactions to Trump's attendance.

'With respect to Broadcast Coverage, the President will be shown on the World Feed and the Ashe Court Feed during the opening anthem ceremony,' the email stated.

'We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President's attendance in any capacity.'

Four days after the US Open final, Trump is expected to head to Yankee Stadium on September 11, the anniversary of the attack on the city.  

He also confirmed that he will be at the first day of the Ryder Cup on September 26 at Bethpage in New York.

More to follow 

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