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The US Open men’s final on Sunday faced disruption due to enhanced security measures implemented for President Donald Trump’s attendance, causing a delay in the match schedule.
Originally set to start at 2pm local time, the organizers ramped up security for the showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
On Sunday, it was announced that the match would be postponed to a 2:30 start, and large queues remained just before this adjusted time.
That resulted in massive lines with hundreds of fans waiting to get into the stadium, and nearly empty stands not long before 2:30.
Trump was reportedly seen arriving at LaGuardia Airport in New York, and entered Arthur Ashe Stadium approximately 40 minutes before the revised start of the final.
President Donald Trump was spotted in Arthur Ashe ahead of the men’s final on Sunday
The added security measures resulted in long lines outside Arthur Ashe Stadium
Trump waved from the stands before Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took the court
It’s the first time Trump has attended the US Open since 2015.
A US Open insider previously told the Daily Mail that tournament made preparations against a possible nerve agent threat.
An insider noted, ‘We have coordinated with CIA colleagues for possible threats involving chemical or nerve agents.’
The preparations are precautionary and are not understood to relate to any specific threat made against the commander-in-chief.
Nonetheless, the chaos will come as a blow to fans, who have shelled out record prices for tickets during this tournament.
On Sunday afternoon, the get-in price for the match was as high as $558, though many tickets exceeded $1,000 in price.
Ahead of the match, Spanish star Alcaraz spoke about Trump’s plans to watch the final.
The insider remarked, ‘It’s an honor for the tournament to have presidential support from any nation, as it supports tennis and the event overall,’ when asked about Trump following his victory over Novak Djokovic.
‘For me, playing in front of him… to be honest, I will try not to think about it. I don’t want… to be nervous because of it.
‘But I think… it’s great for tennis to have the president into the final.’
Attorney General Pam Bondi is also there, as is former New York mayor (and presidential candidate) Michael Bloomberg. So to was Trump critic George Conway, the ex-husband of former Trump spokeswoman, Kellyanne Conway
Trump was not invited to the match by the tournament itself, but as the guest of Rolex, the Swiss luxury watch brand and major sponsor.
The Trump administration imposed a 39 percent tariff on Swiss products last month.
The US Open men’s final will be contested between Jannik Sinner (left) and Carlos Alcaraz
He was meet with a chorus of boos the last time he attended the tennis tournament in majority-Democrat New York a decade ago, and the United States Tennis Association has taken precautions ahead of a similar possible response.
Tournament organizers, as first reported by Bounces, sent out an email to broadcasters, such as ESPN and Sky Sports, stating that broadcasters must censor any protests or reactions to Trump’s attendance.
‘With respect to Broadcast Coverage, the President will be shown on the World Feed and the Ashe Court Feed during the opening anthem ceremony,’ the email stated.
‘We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity.’
Four days after the US Open final, Trump is expected to head to Yankee Stadium on September 11, the anniversary of the attack on the city.
He also confirmed that he will be at the first day of the Ryder Cup on September 26 at Bethpage in New York.
The Commander-in-Chief has made sports a significant part of his second term.
He appeared at the Super Bowl between the Eagles and Chiefs earlier this year in New Orleans, has attended several UFC fights and even made plans to host a fight card on the White House lawn next year.
More to follow
