USTA Asks Broadcasters to Refrain from Showing Crowd Reactions to Trump at US Open Final

New York – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has instructed broadcasters covering the US Open men's singles final to avoid showcasing any crowd disruptions or reactions related to former President Donald Trump's attendance. The directive, revealed in an internal email obtained by tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg's publication "Bounces," specifically requested that "all broadcasters refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity, including ENG [Electronic News Gathering] coverage."

Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, September 7, 2025, marking his first appearance at the tournament since 2015. During his previous visit as a presidential candidate, Trump was met with a chorus of boos from the New York crowd. The USTA email indicated that Trump would be shown on the world and Ashe Court feeds during the opening anthem ceremony.

A USTA spokesperson, Brendan McIntyre, stated that the organization "regularly ask[s] our broadcasters to refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions." This statement suggests the USTA views potential crowd reactions to Trump as similar to other non-match related interruptions. Trump is reportedly attending the event as a guest of Rolex, a tournament sponsor.

Despite the USTA's request, ESPN, the US rights-holder for the tournament, reportedly plans to show Trump and acknowledge his presence as it typically would during major sporting events. The network intends to maintain its focus on the on-court action. The instruction has drawn attention given Trump's history of mixed crowd receptions at public events, particularly in New York.