After nearly a decade away from the courts, Donald Trump is returning to tennis’ biggest stage. The President will attend the men’s singles final at the 2025 US Open this Sunday, marking his first appearance at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since watching Serena and Venus Williams battle in the 2015 quarterfinals.
This time, he’ll witness defending champion Jannik Sinner face off against former US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz in what promises to be a thrilling finale to the tournament.
What Brings President Donald Trump Back to Flushing Meadows?
According to The Athletic, a White House official, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that President Trump is expected to attend the US Open men’s final on Sunday, September 7, 2025. This will be the 79-year-old’s first visit to Flushing Meadows since he took office in 2017.
President Donald Trump will be attending the 2025 US Open men’s singles final this Sunday.
Source: https://t.co/fVSzvogfGJ pic.twitter.com/tY9FYn34vk
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2025
The announcement brings Trump back to a venue where he experienced a notably cold reception during his last visit. During his 2015 appearance at the tournament, Trump was the leading GOP presidential candidate when he entered Arthur Ashe Stadium with his wife, Melania Trump, to watch the Williams sisters compete. As they walked alongside members of the media near the stadium entrance, the crowd met them with boos.
Trump has a long history of attending the US Open, having visited the Grand Slam tournament for decades. His presence at the tournament spans numerous memorable matches, from Chris Evert’s first-round battle against Bettina Fulco in 1989 to the epic 2006 final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. Other notable matches he attended include the third-round clash between Jelena Dokic and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 2001.
The President notably attended the final Grand Slam tournament of the season in 1992, 1997, 2010, and 2013, among other years. Trump often watched games from his personal suite, which was located adjacent to the television broadcasting booth at Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, he gave up this suite in 2017 during his first year as president.
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Beyond his role as spectator, Trump has connections to tennis that extend to the sport’s biggest names. In April 2015, Trump invited Serena Williams to help inaugurate the new tennis center at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion hit the ceremonial first serve to Trump and even appeared to let him score a point during the ceremony. That same year, Trump was also greeted by John McEnroe at the US Open in a hospitality area.
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The Trump family’s connection to tennis extends beyond the President himself. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, is a frequent attendee at tennis matches. She most recently attended the 2024 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium with her husband, Jared Kushner. Ivanka was also spotted at a US Open match in 2016, where she watched from the President’s Box.
US Open Issues Media Advisory Amid Reports of Trump’s Visit To Watch Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz
It is worth noting that the US Open organizers have issued an advisory to alert the media about the anticipated ‘enhanced security’ measures.
US Open media were sent instructions for how to deal with the enhanced security on site for Trump’s expected first visit to the #USOpen in ten years… pic.twitter.com/GBWt3BHc3L
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 6, 2025
The protocol includes stricter security screening, which may result in delays for the spectators attending the final.
