If you’ve ever been to Flushing Meadows, you know the vibe. It’s loud. It’s New York. It’s people drinking $23 Honey Deuces and screaming for their favorite players under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. But on a rainy Sunday in September 2025, the noise wasn't just about tennis. When the big screen flickered to life and showed President Donald Trump, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
The US Open boos Trump narrative isn't just a social media trend; it was a visceral, stadium-wide moment that delayed the start of one of the year's biggest matches.
Security was tight. Like, "miss the first set" tight. Thousands of fans were stuck in massive lines outside because of the presidential security sweep. By the time Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were ready to walk onto the court, the crowd was already a bit cranky. So, when Trump appeared on the Jumbotron during the National Anthem, the reaction was… well, it was a lot.
The Moment the US Open Boos Trump
It started as a low rumble. Trump was standing in a luxury suite, guest of the watchmaker Rolex, sporting his signature suit and long red tie. As the camera held on him, a smattering of cheers broke out—mostly from a small pocket of supporters nearby—but they were quickly overwhelmed.
The boos were loud. They were sustained.
It wasn’t just a five-second thing, either. Later in the match, after the first set, the Jumbotron went back to him for a solid 30 seconds. That's when the "lusty" boos—as The Guardian called them—really took over. The roof on Arthur Ashe was closed because of the rain, which basically turned the stadium into a giant echo chamber for the jeers.
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Trump, for his part, did exactly what you’d expect. He smirked. He gave a thumbs up. He leaned into the role of the disrupter. Honestly, it felt like a flashback to 2015, the last time he’d been at the Open. Back then, he was just starting his first campaign and got booed out of the "President’s Gate" after a Williams sisters match.
Why the Crowd Was So Annoyed
It wasn't just politics.
Don't get me wrong, New York is a blue city, and the US Open crowd isn't exactly his primary demographic. But the frustration was also practical. Because of the President’s arrival, the match was delayed by about 30 minutes. Even with that delay, many fans didn't make it to their seats until the second set.
Martina Navratilova didn't hold back on social media, pointing out that the stadium looked half-empty at the scheduled start time because of the bottleneck at the gates. When you pay a thousand dollars for a ticket, you generally want to see the first serve.
A Secret Memo to Broadcasters?
One of the wildest parts of the whole day was the reporting from Ben Rothenberg and other tennis journalists about a "censorship" attempt.
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Apparently, the USTA (United States Tennis Association) sent out an internal memo to broadcasters like ESPN and ABC. The gist was: "Hey, show the President during the anthem, but please don't show any protests or negative crowd reactions."
- The World Feed: Mostly followed the rules, keeping the shots of Trump brief.
- ESPN/ABC: They didn't really "kowtow." While they didn't linger on him, the audio of the crowd was clearly audible for everyone watching at home.
- The Smirk: That close-up of Trump smirking while the boos rained down became the viral image of the night.
It was a weird juxtaposition. You had these incredible athletes, Alcaraz and Sinner, playing some of the most intense tennis of the decade, while the "US Open boos Trump" headlines were fighting for space on every news ticker.
The Rolex Connection
There was also a bit of irony in the guest list. Trump was there as a guest of Rolex. This happened just weeks after his administration had slapped a 39% tariff on Swiss products.
Talk about an awkward dinner conversation.
The White House didn't have much to say about the optics of accepting a corporate invite from a company his own trade policies were squeezing. But then again, the President has never been one to worry about "blurring the lines."
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How Trump Reacted Afterwards
You’d think getting jeered by 23,000 people would ruin your afternoon. Nope.
On the flight back to Washington, Trump told reporters the fans were "great." He called the crowd "nice" and admitted he didn't know what to expect. He even suggested that he expected a "progressive" crowd but felt he was treated well.
He stayed in the box, chatted with Pam Bondi and Steve Witkoff, and mostly avoided the court itself. Interestingly, he didn't present the trophy to Alcaraz. Some people think that was a strategic move to avoid a second round of boos during the televised trophy ceremony.
Expert Take: The "Sporting Political" Divide
Tennis has always tried to keep its head down when it comes to politics, but it rarely works. Whether it's the US Open boos Trump incident or the Obamas getting a roar of approval at the 2023 tournament, the crowd at Arthur Ashe always makes their feelings known.
Experts like Tom Tebbutt noted that Trump’s image as a "disrupter" was perfectly reflected in the day's events. He didn't just attend a match; he altered the flow of the entire tournament for everyone there.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Big Match
If you're planning on heading to a high-profile sports event where a VIP or political figure might show up, keep these things in mind:
- Arrive Early (No, Earlier): If there’s even a rumor of a presidential visit, add two hours to your travel time. Security sweeps are no joke.
- Check the App: The US Open official app and X (Twitter) account are the first places to announce delays. They moved the 2025 final back 30 minutes specifically to deal with the Trump lines.
- Noise Control: If you’re at the stadium and the noise gets overwhelming (or political), just focus on the court. At the end of the day, Alcaraz’s forehand is way more interesting than a Jumbotron controversy.
The intersection of sports and politics is never quiet. Whether you think the crowd was out of line or just exercising their right to complain about the wait times, the 2025 final will be remembered just as much for the sound in the rafters as the play on the court.