President Trump’s surprise arrival stalls Alcaraz vs Sinner final by over 30 minutes; crowd lashes out over chaotic delays at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Trump Turns Tennis Finale Into Frustration for Fans
The US Open 2025 men’s singles final — a highly anticipated clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — took an unexpected turn when U.S. President Donald Trump showed up at Arthur Ashe Stadium, causing a security lockdown and delaying the match by over 30 minutes.
While the tennis world gathered for what should’ve been a smooth Grand Slam finale, Trump’s presence turned the event into a logistical nightmare, igniting anger among fans stuck in long lines and jammed parking lots.
As Trump’s face appeared briefly on the stadium screen, the crowd erupted in a wave of boos, signaling their disapproval of the delay and the disruption.
“One hundred percent him. Very selfish,” said Kevin, a Brooklyn-based private equity professional.
“He should know an event like this would be held up for him — especially in a city that hates him.”
Secret Service Lockdown: What Caused the Delay?
Trump’s arrival triggered immediate action from the U.S. Secret Service and federal security teams, who shut down multiple stadium entrances to conduct enhanced screening.
- Fans were funneled through tight security with extra bag checks and metal detectors
- Traffic around the stadium turned into a standstill
- Even celebrities were forced to wait or walk long distances to reach their seats
“Cars can’t get into parking lots, and people are walking miles. Even celebs are waiting like everyone else,” an attendee told Page Six.
The final, scheduled for 2:00 PM EDT, didn’t begin until well past 2:30 PM, with no official explanation provided inside the stadium at the time.
Boos, Frustration, and Viral Moments
As fans waited with mounting frustration, the atmosphere in the stadium soured. The moment Trump’s face appeared on the screen, the crowd responded with a loud and clear chorus of boos.
Karen Stark, a fan visiting from Michigan, offered a more balanced take:
“Trump can go wherever he wants and attend a match if he wants to,” she told Reuters.
“But fans deserved better communication and planning.”
Meanwhile, video clips of the incident — especially the crowd’s reaction — spread quickly across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
Secret Service Responds: “We Understand the Frustration”
In a rare public statement, the Secret Service acknowledged the disruption caused by the President’s visit:
“We recognize that enhanced security for the President’s visit may have contributed to delays for attendees. We sincerely thank every fan for their patience and understanding.”
Trump Reacts: “Fans Were Really Nice” (With a Smirk)
Speaking after the match, President Trump praised both players for their performance and offered a sarcastic comment about the reception he received:
“The fans were really nice. I didn’t know what to expect. Usually, you’d say that’s a ‘progressive’ crowd, as they say nowadays.”
He also called Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner “unbelievably talented,” brushing off the backlash entirely.
Politics & Sports Collide (Again)
This isn’t the first time President Trump has drawn boos at a major sporting event, but the disruption of a live global final — especially in a politically charged city like New York — made this incident particularly controversial.
For many fans, it wasn’t about politics. It was about timing, transparency, and the feeling that an elite event was hijacked by political presence.
Summary
- President Trump’s arrival delayed the US Open 2025 men’s final by 30+ minutes
- Increased security led to chaos outside and inside Arthur Ashe Stadium
- Fans expressed frustration, with some booing Trump when he appeared on the screen
- Secret Service admitted that the President’s visit contributed to delays
- Trump offered sarcastic remarks but praised both players after the match
Disclaimer: This article reflects quotes and public reactions reported at the event. Reactions are individual and do not represent any official stance.
