Trump is met with mostly boos at US Open as security delays a match

By DAVID WALDSTEIN

The U.S. Open men’s tennis final got off to a slow and confusing start on Sunday as thousands of fans were forced to wait outside Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City because of enhanced security for President Donald Trump’s visit.

The match between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain was supposed to start at 2 p.m. Eastern time. It was initially delayed 30 minutes, and then another 15, and ultimately did not start until 2:48 p.m., with hundreds of people still waiting to get through security.

Trump entered the back area of the luxury suite at the center of the stadium in Flushing, Queens, at about 1:45 p.m. and spoke to several people as fans slowly filed in. There was little demonstrable cheering or booing when Trump entered the main seating area at 2:30 p.m. for the national anthem.

But when he was shown on the video screens, fans unleashed a loud round of mostly boos, with some cheers mixed in. The president was on the screens only briefly, as he stood and saluted. After the first set, he was shown on the screens again, and that time was met with louder, more sustained booing, as well as some cheers.

Trump was in a suite along one of the sidelines of center court, opposite the umpire’s chair and directly under a sign that read “Arthur Ashe Stadium.” The world’s largest tennis arena, the stadium holds more than 23,000 people and was named for Ashe, the first Black U.S. Open men’s champion and a social justice advocate.

With TSA-style security slowing the normal entry process, many fans spent roughly 30 minutes waiting in line to gain access.

Trump stayed for the entire match and the trophy presentation. He autographed a few caps for fans, and stood and clapped for both players during their speeches before leaving the stadium.