The US Open men’s final was thrown into chaos on Sunday as the extra security measures in place for President Donald Trump’s arrival forced the match to be pushed back.
The tournament has significantly beefed up the security for the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, which was initially supposed to begin at 2pm local time.
However, tournament organizers announced on Sunday that the match was being pushed back to 2:30, and there were still massive lines just minutes before that revised start time.
All entrants of Arthur Ashe Arena were asked to empty their pockets and go through airport-style scanners in their way in.
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, who was seen arriving at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Sunday after stepping off Air Force One, was spotted inside Arthur Ashe Stadium roughly 40 minutes before the revised start time of Sunday’s 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.
‘We’ve been scoping out the area with our colleagues in the CIA and taking precautions in the event of an attack using chemical weapons or nerve agents,’ the insider said.
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.
‘It is a privilege for the tournaments having the president from every country… to support the tournament, to support tennis, and to support the match,’ he initially told reporters when quizzed about Trump after his win 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
