Trump visit delays US Open as president returns to Democratic hometown

Trump

President Donald Trump’s attendance at the US Open men’s final on Sunday delayed the start of the match, as hordes of tennis fans struggled to get through security checkpoints.

The New York-born billionaire is joining a host of other celebrities taking in the battle between top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz — returning to Flushing Meadows after a decade-long absence, before which he was a regular fixture.

Major tournament sponsor Rolex has welcomed Trump into its stadium box, with the president briefly appearing alongside the company’s CEO, as well as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The luxury watchmaker’s invite comes after Trump hit Switzerland with a 39-percent tariff as part of his trade war, one of the highest rates on US trade partners.

When he again appeared before the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner, he waved to the crowd, which greeted him with a mix of cheers and boos.

Trump has not attended the US Open since 2015 — when the then-presidential candidate and wife, Melania, were booed on arrival by the crowd.

While the Republican leader enjoys pockets of support in his native city, it is overwhelmingly Democratic.

Punch