Former President Donald Trump made his first appearance at the US Open in nearly a decade on Sunday, September 7, but his return to the tennis spotlight didn’t go quite as planned. As cameras panned to him during the men’s final in New York, Trump was met with loud boos from the crowd—a moment that quickly went viral online.
A High-Profile Appearance
The men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz drew international attention, not only for the tennis but for the personalities in the stands. Trump, who last attended the US Open in 2015 at the start of his first presidential campaign, was spotted sitting in a luxury suite beside one of the winner’s trophies. His invitation reportedly came from Rolex, a longtime sponsor of the tournament.
As a West Point cadet performed the national anthem, cameras cut to Trump. A smattering of applause was soon drowned out by a chorus of boos echoing through the stadium. The former president offered a smirk and a stiff nod before taking his seat, visibly aware of the crowd’s reaction.
Trump’s Response
Speaking to reporters later after returning to Washington, Trump downplayed the hostile reception.
“The fans were really nice. I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “Usually you would say that would be a somewhat ‘progressive’ crowd, as they call it nowadays. But I loved being there—it was a great event.”
Trump insisted he enjoyed the final despite the tension, praising the level of play on the court and describing the atmosphere as “electric.”
Frustrations Over Security
Not all fans were as enthusiastic. Many attendees were delayed outside Arthur Ashe Stadium due to heightened security measures linked to Trump’s presence. Some said they missed the opening ceremonies and even part of the match.
Kevin, a fan waiting in line, told Reuters: “One hundred percent him. Very selfish. I would expect someone like that to have a little bit more grace to know that an event like this would be held up for him being here, especially in a city that hates him.”
The U.S. Secret Service later acknowledged the delays, saying in a statement: “We recognise that enhanced security for the U.S. President’s visit to the US Open may have contributed to delays for attendees. We sincerely thank every fan for their patience and understanding.”
A Symbolic Setting
For Trump, New York has long been a complicated stage. Once his home base, the city has become increasingly hostile to him since his political rise. The reaction at the US Open underscored that divide: while a small number applauded, the dominant sound was unmistakably negative.
For many in attendance, the boos were less about tennis and more about politics—a reflection of New York’s overwhelmingly liberal leanings and Trump’s polarising legacy.
Looking Ahead
The incident at the US Open is unlikely to faze Trump’s political supporters, many of whom have grown accustomed to seeing him heckled at major cultural events. But the jeering moment serves as a reminder of how deeply divided American public opinion remains.
In the end, the spotlight was supposed to be on Alcaraz and Sinner, but for a few minutes, the focus shifted to Trump—his smirk, the boos, and the larger symbolism of his presence in New York’s sporting arena.