President Trump to Attend Historic U.S. Open Men's Final featuring Sinner vs. Alcaraz
President Donald Trump is set to attend the U.S. Open men's singles final today at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City, marking the first presidential appearance at the tournament since Bill Clinton in 2000. Trump will watch the match from Rolex's suite, as confirmed by a source speaking on condition of anonymity.
The final features a highly anticipated matchup between top-ranked Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz. This is the first time in the Open Era that the same two players have contested three consecutive Grand Slam finals in a single season. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head series 9-5, including a victory at the French Open earlier this year, while Sinner claimed the Wimbledon title in their most recent Grand Slam encounter.
Sinner, a 24-year-old Italian, is aiming to become the first man since Roger Federer to win consecutive U.S. Open titles. He seeks his third Grand Slam of the year, following victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard, is eyeing his second major of 2025 after winning the French Open and his sixth overall. He has not dropped a set during the tournament and has won 60 matches this year with six titles.
President Trump's attendance continues his pattern of attending major sporting events during his presidency, including the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, UFC fights, NCAA wrestling, and the FIFA Club World Cup. His presence at the U.S. Open, a tournament held in the predominantly Democratic New York City, could elicit mixed reactions from the audience. His previous appearance in 2015 drew boos from the crowd.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has reportedly requested that broadcasters avoid airing any audience reactions or protests related to Trump's attendance. A memo sent to media partners instructed them to avoid airing any disruptions or reactions during Trump's appearance, including during the national anthem ceremony where he will be shown. USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre noted that such requests to avoid highlighting off-court disruptions are routine.
The Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry is drawing comparisons to past great rivalries in tennis, such as those between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Their consecutive Grand Slam final meetings in a single season are unprecedented in the Open Era. Both players have monopolized the sport recently, winning nine of the last ten majors and edging out Novak Djokovic. The final is widely seen as the culmination of a transformative season in men’s tennis.
The 2025 U.S. Open men's singles final is set to be a landmark event, not only for the historic matchup between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz but also due to the attendance of President Donald Trump. The convergence of sports, politics, and media management presents a multifaceted narrative worthy of in-depth exploration.