Tennis Fans Furious as Trump Security Disrupts US Open Men’s Final

The US Open men’s final, one of the most anticipated tennis matches of the year, was marred by chaos and delays on Sunday after heightened security measures for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s arrival caused massive disruptions outside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Thousands of fans were left queuing in long lines for over an hour as Secret Service agents enforced tight entry protocols ahead of Trump’s entrance. The result: a 48-minute delay to the start of the final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner with large sections of the stadium still empty as the opening set began.

Frustration boiled over quickly. Some fans chanted “Let us in!” while others booed as Trump entered the stadium. “We missed the first set, and I paid $2,500 for these seats,” said one angry attendee. Social media was flooded with complaints and videos of crowded entrances, further fueling outrage.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova called the situation “insane,” criticizing the disruption and expressing sympathy for fans standing in the rain despite paying premium prices. “People have traveled from all over the world for this match. It’s unacceptable,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Adding to the spectacle was the presence of several celebrities including Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Colbert, Ben Stiller, and Catherine Zeta-Jones who were also caught in the security bottleneck. Their public frustrations led to a snarky response from a White House spokesperson, who posted: “Pathetic (but hilarious) to see celebs whine about lines. Welcome to real America.”

Despite the tense lead-up, the match went on. Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets (6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4) to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and take home a record-breaking $5 million prize. But even his dominant performance was overshadowed by the political storm surrounding the event.

Trump, attending his first US Open in a decade, was seen clapping courtside alongside donors and GOP figures. While some fans applauded his presence, others saw it as a disruption to what should have been a celebration of sport.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) issued a brief statement noting that all ticket holders were notified of updated entry protocols in advance. However, many fans said they received no such alerts. The Secret Service acknowledged the delays but stressed that "security protocols are non-negotiable" when protecting a former president.

As the dust settles, many are questioning the logistics and timing of Trump's visit. “A global sporting event should never be hijacked by politics,” said one fan on X.