Trump’s U.S. Open Attendance Prompts USTA Media Guidelines
As the U.S. Open men’s final approaches this Sunday, the tennis world is buzzing with anticipation not only for the championship match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner but also for the attendance of President Donald Trump. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has reportedly issued guidelines to broadcasters regarding how to handle coverage of the president’s presence, marking a significant moment as Trump returns to the Grand Slam event for the first time since 2015.
The USTA memo, first revealed by tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg’s Substack “Bounces” and subsequently reported by multiple outlets, requests that broadcasters “refrain from showcasing any disruptions to the president’s attendance in any capacity.” According to these reports, the president will be shown on official feeds during the opening anthem ceremony preceding the championship match between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. This directive has drawn attention as it appears designed to minimize potential coverage of any negative reactions to Trump’s presence, given that both the president and Vice President JD Vance have encountered protests and jeers at previous public appearances. Trump will reportedly watch the match from a Rolex-sponsored suite, according to an anonymous source cited by The Associated Press.
Trump’s appearance at the U.S. Open adds to his growing list of sporting event attendances since returning to office in January. Earlier this year, he became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, and he has made appearances at UFC fights in Miami and Newark, as well as the opening of the LIV Golf League in Miami. Before launching his political career, Trump was a regular at the U.S. Open, though this visit marks a historic moment as no sitting president has attended the tournament in 25 years, with Bill Clinton being the last to do so. The significance of a presidential appearance at such a high-profile sporting event underscores the intersection of politics, media, and sports in American culture.
The men’s final itself promises to be a thrilling contest between two of tennis’s brightest stars. This matchup represents the third consecutive Grand Slam final featuring Alcaraz and Sinner, continuing their budding rivalry after Alcaraz claimed victory at the French Open and Sinner responded by winning Wimbledon earlier this year. When asked about playing in front of the president, Alcaraz displayed diplomatic grace, stating, “It is a privilege for the tournaments, having a president…to support the tournaments, to support tennis.” The young Spanish star added that while he considers it “great for tennis to have the president into the final,” he will try not to focus on Trump’s presence or allow it to make him nervous during the championship match.
The USTA’s media directive highlights the delicate balance sports organizations must strike when political figures attend major events. By specifically requesting that broadcasters avoid showing “disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity,” the organization appears to be attempting to maintain focus on the tennis competition rather than potential political controversies. This approach reflects broader tensions in sports broadcasting about how to handle political elements that inevitably intersect with major sporting events, especially when high-profile government officials are present. The guidelines extend beyond just the main broadcast, specifically mentioning that Electronic News Gathering (ENG) coverage should also avoid showcasing any disruptions.
As tennis fans around the world prepare to watch Alcaraz and Sinner battle for the U.S. Open championship on Sunday afternoon, the presence of President Trump adds an extra dimension of public interest to the event. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET, and regardless of the political undertones, it promises to deliver world-class tennis between two athletes who represent the future of the sport. While the USTA’s broadcasting guidelines have sparked discussion about media coverage and political appearances at sporting events, for the players themselves, the focus remains squarely on competing for one of tennis’s most prestigious titles on the iconic courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
