Carlos Alcaraz secured a thrilling victory over Jannik Sinner in the US Open final, with Donald Trump observing from the stands. The former U.S. President’s presence drew significant attention, prompting varied responses, including sharp criticism from tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who called out Trump for his apparent lack of sportsmanship.
At Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz outplayed the 2024 US Open champion Sinner in a gripping four-set match, concluding with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, to claim his sixth Grand Slam title. The match faced a brief delay of approximately 30 minutes due to heightened security measures prompted by Trump’s attendance.
As Trump entered Arthur Ashe Stadium, the crowd greeted him with a blend of cheers and boos, reflecting the polarized reactions to his presence. Notably, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend the US Open since Bill Clinton in 2000.
During the pre-match rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ some spectators booed Trump when his image appeared on the stadium’s large screen, underscoring the mixed sentiments surrounding his appearance.
Prominent figures such as Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola, NBA star Steph Curry, and actor Danny DeVito were also in attendance, adding to the star-studded atmosphere of the event.
Earlier in the tournament, Alcaraz expressed gratitude for the presence of global leaders, describing their support as an honor and a boost for the sport of tennis.
However, Martina Navratilova, the 68-year-old former world number one in women’s singles, expressed disappointment in Trump’s demeanor. She observed that Trump refrained from clapping following Alcaraz’s victory. In a post on X, Navratilova remarked: “Trump didn’t applaud even once. His envy was clear! But when the crowd cheered for Bruce Springsteen as ‘Born in the USA’ played, the energy was electric!”
Springsteen, a known critic of Trump’s political stance, frequently addresses his concerns about American politics during his performances, which added context to Navratilova’s commentary.
Online, a video surfaced showing Trump signing red hats featuring the phrase ‘Make America Great Again.’ American diplomat Monica Crowley commented, “No one compares to him,” to which Navratilova responded, “Let’s hope not.”
Trump has increasingly attended high-profile sporting events, seemingly to bolster his public presence. Earlier, he joined Chelsea’s celebrations after their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey in July. During that event, Trump stood alongside captain Reece James during the trophy presentation, though FIFA president Gianni Infantino later asked him to step aside.
With the United States, Mexico, and Canada set to host the World Cup finals next summer, Trump is likely to remain a prominent figure at such events, continuing to draw attention and spark reactions.
