NEW YORK — The highly anticipated US Open men’s singles final between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz was delayed by over an hour on Sunday, a postponement officially attributed to a ceremonial tribute to American legend Billie Jean King but which coincided with the arrival of former President Donald Trump at a heavily secured Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match, originally scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. ET start, did not commence until after 5:15 p.m., creating a significant backlog outside the main stadium. The USTA released a statement citing the on-court ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the US Open offering equal prize money to men and women, a landmark achievement spearheaded by King. However, the extended delay also overlapped with enhanced security protocols implemented for the high-profile visit.
Fans reported unusually long and slow-moving queues at the entry gates, where security was visibly heightened. Attendees were subject to thorough screenings, including the use of magnetometers and bag checks that were far more meticulous than typical tournament procedures. The atmosphere was described as tense and congested, with many spectators missing the start of the historic final.
A spectator, Michael Roberts, who spoke to reporters outside the gates, described the scene: "The lines are barely moving. They're checking every single pocket, every bag, it's like nothing I've seen at a tennis match before. We've been in line for almost an hour and we can hear the crowd inside for the ceremony, but we're stuck out here."
The security surge was directly linked to the presence of former President Trump, who arrived at the stadium shortly before the match was set to begin. He was seated in the front row of the tournament’s most expensive courtside boxes, drawing a mix of loud cheers and boos from the capacity crowd. His entourage and Secret Service detail required a significant security footprint, which impacted fan entry logistics.
The USTA’s official statement made no mention of the political visitor, focusing solely on the tribute:
"The start of the Men's Singles Final was delayed due to a celebratory moment of celebration honoring 50 years of equal prize money for the US Open. It's a night of celebration and history for the tournament and the sport."
However, the timing of events told a different story. The ceremony for Billie Jean King concluded well before the players finally walked onto the court. The extended gap was filled by the stadium video board and the tournament emcee attempting to engage the restless crowd, while outside, thousands of ticketholders remained in security purgatory.
The logistical challenges created by the situation were numerous and impacted the event in several key ways:
- Fan Experience: Many fans missed the entire first set of the monumental clash between two of tennis's brightest young stars due to the slow entry process.
- Player Preparation: Both Sinner and Alcaraz, who had meticulously prepared for a 4 p.m. start, were forced to wait in the locker room for an extended and uncertain period, potentially disrupting their physical and mental routines.
- Broadcast Schedule: The delay caused significant disruption for ESPN's live broadcast, forcing the network to fill airtime unexpectedly and pushing the conclusion of the match later into the primetime window.
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg posted on social media platform X, capturing the surreal scene:
"The vibe at Ashe is extremely strange. A former President is here getting a very mixed reception, the players are stuck waiting backstage, and half the crowd is still stuck outside in security lines that are not moving. An utterly bizarre way to start a major final."
Despite the chaotic preamble, the final itself lived up to its blockbuster billing. Once play began, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on a breathtaking display of power and athleticism. Alcaraz eventually emerged victorious in a five-set thriller, securing his second US Open title and his third major championship overall. The Spaniard won 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted four hours and 15 minutes.
In his post-match press conference, Alcaraz was asked about the unusual delay. He diplomatically focused on the celebration of Billie Jean King: "Well, of course, we were waiting for a long time in the locker room. But to be honest, to celebrate 50 years of equal prize money is something great for our sport. It was a good ceremony. We just had to stay focused and ready to go."
The incident highlights the immense logistical and security complications that arise when a major sporting event intersects with a high-stakes political presence. While the USTA maintained a public stance centered on the celebration of a historic tennis achievement, the evidence on the ground pointed to a significant, albeit unacknowledged, contributing factor that left thousands of fans frustrated and created an unprecedented start to one of the biggest matches of the tennis calendar.