“Don’t show the booing”: U.S. Open’s Trump censorship sparks backlash

US President Donald Trump may want to cover his ears when he attends the 2025 US Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on Sunday, September 7.

USTA moves to limit negative coverage of Donald Trump

The last time Trump appeared at the US Open in 2015, he was loudly booed by the crowd. This time, the U.S. Tennis Association has taken steps to ensure a potentially hostile reception for the Republican is not broadcast worldwide.

According to Bounces, the Substack of tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, the USTA sent an email requesting broadcasters avoid showing any negative reactions directed toward Trump, who will be shown during the national anthem.

“With respect to Broadcast Coverage, the President will be shown on the World Feed and the Ashe Court Feed during the opening anthem ceremony. We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity, including ENG [Electronic News Gathering] coverage,” the USTA email read.

Strategic timing during anthem?

Showing Trump during the anthem, one of the loudest moments of the final, may be a strategic move to drown out dissenting voices. Still, it will be more difficult for broadcasters to censor booing or chanting aimed at the 79-year-old during other points in the match.

Trump’s Rolex sponsorship connection

Before entering politics, Trump was a regular at the US Open. According to The Athletic, he had a suite at the tournament for almost 20 years before giving it up in 2017, the year he first became president.

The USTA email also revealed Trump will watch the Alcaraz vs. Sinner final “from a suite as a sponsor guest.” According to Bounces, the sponsor is Rolex, with Rothenberg suggesting the Swiss watchmaker may be hoping to lobby the president on lowering the 39 percent tariff on Swiss imports.

Donald Trump causes US Open delay

Before the start of the men’s final on Sunday, the US Open issued a statement revealing the start of final would be pushed back 30 minutes to 2:30 P.M. ET “as a result of the security measures in place,” linked to Trump’s presence.

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