Donald Trump and the US Open go way back. Like, decades back. Long before the red hats and the "Make America Great Again" rallies, he was just a New York mogul who loved a good spectacle. He’d sit in his private luxury box at Arthur Ashe Stadium, usually with a rotating cast of celebrities or family members, soaking in the late-summer heat of Queens.
For years, he was a fixture. Then, things got complicated.
Most people remember the 2015 incident. Trump had just launched his first presidential campaign. He showed up for a night match—Venus vs. Serena, no less—and the crowd wasn't having it. He got booed. Loudly. After that, he basically vanished from the tournament for nearly ten years. But then 2025 happened.
In September 2025, now back in the White House for his second term, Trump made a return that caught everyone off guard. He didn't just slip in; he brought the whole weight of the presidency with him. It was the first time a sitting president had attended the US Open since Bill Clinton in 2000.
Honestly, the logistics were a nightmare for regular fans.
The Security Lockdown and the Delay
If you were trying to get into the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sunday, September 7, 2025, you probably missed the first few games. The Secret Service doesn't do "light" security. Because of the President's arrival, security lines backed up for blocks.
👉 See also: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
It got so bad that the United States Tennis Association (USTA) actually had to push the start time of the men's final back by 30 minutes. Imagine being Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, arguably the two best players on the planet, waiting in the tunnel because the President is still getting settled in a luxury suite.
Trump arrived about 45 minutes before the new start time. He wasn't in the old Trump Organization box—that's been gone since 2017. Instead, he was the guest of Rolex.
There’s a bit of irony there, right? His administration had just slapped a 39% tariff on Swiss products, yet here he was, sipping water in the Rolex suite next to their CEO, Jean-Frederic Dufour. It’s that classic Trump brand of "business is business."
The Crowd's Reaction: Cheers, Boos, and Silence
The atmosphere inside Ashe was... tense. When Trump first stepped out onto the suite's balcony to wave, the stadium was only about half full. The reaction was a messy mix. You had people cheering and chanting, while others let out a chorus of boos.
It happened again during the National Anthem. Trump stood in a salute, his face projected onto the massive Jumbotron. The boos were definitely louder that time. He just smirked and clapped. He’s used to it.
✨ Don't miss: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
The USTA tried to manage the "vibe." They actually sent an email to broadcasters like ABC and ESPN asking them to "refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions." Basically, they didn't want the world to see or hear the protests. It didn't really work. If you were watching at home, you could still hear the rumbling of the crowd whenever the camera panned near the Rolex box.
Who Was in the Suite?
Trump didn't come alone. He had a massive entourage that looked more like a Cabinet meeting than a tennis outing. Seated with him were:
- Susie Wiles (Chief of Staff)
- Pam Bondi (Attorney General)
- Scott Bessent (Treasury Secretary)
- Karoline Leavitt (Press Secretary)
- Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy)
It was a stark contrast to the rest of the celebrity row. A few sections over, you had the "old guard" of Hollywood and music—people like Bruce Springsteen, Pink, and Ben Stiller. Most of them have been pretty vocal critics of the President. It felt like two different Americas sitting thirty feet apart, all watching a 22-year-old Spaniard hit 100-mph forehands.
Trump’s History with the Williams Sisters
You can't talk about Trump at the US Open without mentioning his genuine obsession with the Williams sisters. Back in the day, he was one of their biggest cheerleaders. In 1997, when Venus was just a teenager making her first deep run, Trump was in the stands pumping his fist for her.
He once even offered over $1 million to sponsor a "Battle of the Sexes" match between one of the sisters and John McEnroe. He’s always loved the idea of the "winner." To him, the Williams sisters were the ultimate winners.
🔗 Read more: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
But as his political persona grew, that relationship cooled—at least publicly. By the time he was booed in 2015, the world of tennis had moved on from him being a "fun" local celebrity to a polarizing political figure.
What This Means for the USTA
The USTA is in a tough spot. They want the prestige of a sitting president. It makes the tournament feel like the center of the world. But the security headaches and the crowd's reaction are a lot to handle.
For the 2025 final, they clearly tried to keep the focus on the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry. And it was a great match—Alcaraz won in four sets. Trump stayed for the whole thing, even the trophy ceremony, though he didn't go down onto the court. He signed a few hats for fans near his box and headed back to Air Force One.
Later, he told reporters the crowd was "great" and "very nice." Whether you believe that depends on which part of the stadium you were sitting in.
Practical Insights for Your Next US Open Visit
If you're planning to attend the tournament, especially when high-profile figures are expected, here is how to handle the chaos:
- Arrive three hours early. If there is a VIP or "high-security" guest, the usual 20-minute security check can turn into a two-hour ordeal.
- Check the "Broadcaster's Schedule." If the USTA is expecting a presidential visit, they often adjust match times. Keep an eye on the official US Open app for "Security Updates."
- Avoid the main gates. The South Gate is usually the bottleneck for VIP arrivals. Try the East Gate (near the 7 train) for a slightly smoother entry.
- Expect "Blackouts." If you're hoping to see political drama on the big screens, forget it. The USTA controls those feeds tightly to keep the focus on the tennis.
The 2025 appearance proved that Trump at the US Open is never just about tennis. It’s a power play, a homecoming, and a logistical puzzle all rolled into one. Whether he returns for the 2026 tournament remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the security lines won't be getting any shorter.