President Trump to Attend US Open Men’s Final
Introduction to the Event
President Donald Trump will watch the U.S. Open men’s final from Rolex’s suite in Arthur Ashe Stadium, a person with knowledge of the details said Saturday.
Trump’s first appearance at the Grand Slam tournament in New York since 2015 — before his first run for the White House — will be Sunday as a guest of the Swiss watchmaker, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because those plans were not publicly revealed.
Significance of the Visit
Accepting use of Rolex’s suite is noteworthy because it comes weeks after the Trump administration imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss products. That’s more than 2 1/2 times higher than the one on European Union goods exported to the U.S. and nearly four times higher than on British exports to the U.S. — which has raised questions about Switzerland’s ability to compete with the 27-member bloc that it neighbors.
Trump’s History with Sports Events
Sunday’s match between No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is the latest high-profile sporting event for Trump after the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, as well as UFC fights in Miami and Newark, New Jersey, the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia and the FIFA Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Potential for Protests
The U.S. Tennis Association said its policy is to "regularly ask our broadcasters to refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions,” so it’s possible ABC’s telecast of the match Sunday might not include coverage of any protests that might arise.
Trump’s Past Attendance at the US Open
Trump frequently attended the U.S. Open more than a decade ago, before he launched his political career, when he lived in New York. He now primarily lives at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, when he’s not in Washington.
The Trump Organization once controlled a suite at the U.S. Open, adjacent to the television broadcasting booth in Ashe, but stopped using it in 2017, the first year of Trump’s first term.
Unusual Presidential Appearance
Having a sitting president at the U.S. Open is unusual. It hasn’t happened since Bill Clinton attended in 2000. Former President Barack Obama and wife, Michelle, attended the opening night in 2023.
Conclusion
The attendance of President Trump at the US Open men’s final marks a significant event, both in terms of his personal history with the tournament and the current geopolitical context. The decision to accept Rolex’s invitation, despite recent tariffs imposed on Swiss products, adds a layer of complexity to the visit.
FAQs
Q: Who is President Trump watching the US Open men’s final with?
A: President Trump will be watching the match from Rolex’s suite in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Q: What is significant about President Trump’s attendance at the US Open?
A: President Trump’s attendance is significant because it comes after the imposition of a 39% tariff on Swiss products by his administration.
Q: Has a sitting president attended the US Open before?
A: Yes, but it is unusual. The last time a sitting president attended was in 2000 when Bill Clinton attended the tournament.
