Honestly, if you were trying to find Donald Trump at the 2025 US Open men’s final, you didn't need a map. You just needed to look for the longest security line you’ve ever seen in your life. Seriously. People were stuck outside for nearly an hour past the scheduled start time because the Secret Service basically turned the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center into a mini-fortress. But once you actually got inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the question of where is Trump sitting at US Open became a bit of a game of "Where's Waldo," albeit a very high-security version of it.
For those who missed the live chaos or are looking back at the seating charts, the answer is pretty specific. Trump wasn't just in any old seat. He was tucked away in a luxury suite, but it wasn't his own.
The Rolex Suite: A Very High-End (and Awkward) Perch
In a move that caught a lot of people off guard, Donald Trump spent the match sitting in the Rolex luxury suite. This is a big deal for a few reasons. First, the Trump Organization actually used to have its own dedicated suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium for decades. It was prime real estate, right next to the television broadcasting booth. They gave that up back in 2017 during his first term.
So, fast forward to late 2025, and he’s back as a guest of the Swiss watchmaker. If that sounds a bit "kinda" awkward, it’s because it was. Just weeks before the tournament, the Trump administration had slapped a massive 39% tariff on Swiss products. Imagine inviting the guy who just made your watches way more expensive to sit in your private box and eat shrimp cocktail. That’s exactly what happened.
He wasn't alone in there, obviously. The box was packed with a "who's who" of his 2026-era inner circle.
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- Susie Wiles (White House Chief of Staff)
- Pam Bondi (Attorney General)
- Scott Bessent (Treasury Secretary)
- Karoline Leavitt (Press Secretary)
- Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy)
Even his granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, was spotted in the mix. They were basically perched in the mid-tier of the stadium, which gives a perfect panoramic view of the blue hardcourt without being so close that a Carlos Alcaraz 130-mph serve could take out a diplomat.
Why the Seating Location Mattered
The geography of Arthur Ashe Stadium is weirdly political. The Rolex suite is positioned in a way that’s visible to the crowd but can also be shielded from the cameras. This was intentional. The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) actually sent out a memo to broadcasters like ABC and ESPN asking them to "refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions." Translation: don't show the crowd's reaction to Trump if it gets ugly.
And it did get a little spicy.
When Trump briefly stepped out onto the balcony of the suite to wave—about 45 minutes before the match started—the reaction was a chaotic blend of cheers and very loud boos. Because the roof was closed due to rain, the sound just bounced around the stadium like a pinball. It was loud. Really loud.
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Security Theater at the Gates
If you were one of the fans wondering where is Trump sitting at US Open while you were stuck at the South Gate, the answer was "somewhere you aren't getting to." The security measures were so intense that the USTA actually delayed the start of the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner final by about 30 to 45 minutes.
That’s almost unheard of for a Grand Slam final.
Usually, the schedule is sacred. But with a sitting president in the building, the Secret Service had to clear every single person through airport-style screening. Thousands of fans were still in line when the first ball was struck. If you've ever paid $500 for a "cheap" seat at a final, you can imagine how thrilled those folks were.
A History of the "Trump Box" at Flushing Meadows
Trump has been a fixture at this tournament for forty years. Before he was a political lightning rod, he was just a New York real estate guy who loved the spectacle. He used to sit in his own suite's balcony during the night matches, often accompanied by Melania.
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The last time he showed up before this 2025 appearance was way back in 2015. He watched Venus and Serena Williams play their famous quarterfinal. He got booed then, too. It seems like the US Open crowd, which is heavily made up of New Yorkers, has a long memory.
What It Was Like Inside the Suite
According to reports from folks with eyes on the box, it wasn't all tennis. For a good chunk of the middle sets, Trump was actually seen sitting at a table inside the suite rather than in the balcony seats. He was eating, "kibitzing" with his advisors, and generally doing the thing powerful people do in boxes—networking.
He did make it back to his seat for match point, though. He watched Alcaraz close it out and even stayed for the trophy ceremony. He didn't go down onto the court, which was probably a smart move for everyone’s eardrums, but he did sign a few MAGA hats for fans near the tunnel as he was heading out around 6:00 PM.
Tips for Your Next Visit (Presidential or Not)
If you're heading to the US Open and want to see the "VIP" experience for yourself, keep a few things in mind. You might not get into the Rolex suite unless you're a head of state or a very successful watch dealer, but you can still navigate the grounds like a pro.
- Check the "President's Gate": There is a specific entrance near the East Gate often used for high-profile arrivals. If you see a motorcade, that's your spot.
- Arrive early—no, earlier: If there are rumors of a high-profile politician attending, triple your travel time. The 2025 security delays were a nightmare for regular ticket holders.
- The Suite Level View: If you can't get into a suite, the 100-level seats offer a similar perspective to where the Rolex box is located. You get the depth of the court without the "nosebleed" feel of the upper tiers.
- Watch the Jumbotron: The stadium cameras usually do a "celebrity sweep." Even if the USTA asks them to be careful with politicians, they almost always show them at least once during the National Anthem.
The presence of a president at the US Open hasn't happened since Bill Clinton in 2000. It changes the entire energy of the tournament. Whether you're there for the backhands or the political theater, knowing exactly where the "power seats" are helps you understand why the lines are so long and why the crowd is suddenly screaming.
Next Steps for Your US Open Planning
Check the official USTA prohibited items list before you go, especially if security is heightened. You can also view the Arthur Ashe Stadium seating map online to see exactly where the Luxury Suite level (where the Rolex box is) sits in relation to the court. If you're looking for celebrity sightings, the "Loge" level is usually your best bet for seeing stars who aren't in private suites.