Tennis sensations, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, faced a delay in commencing their US Open final due to the unexpected arrival of President Donald Trump at Flushing Meadows. The match, scheduled to begin at 2 pm local time, was postponed by at least 30 minutes, primarily due to heightened security measures required for the president’s presence. The delay led to a significantly reduced crowd in the Arthur Ashe Stadium as fans were left waiting outside even after the initial start time.
President Trump’s attendance marked the first time a sitting president had graced the US Open final since Bill Clinton in 2000, eliciting a mixed reaction from the spectators with a blend of cheers and boos upon his arrival.
In response to the security arrangements and to allow ample time for fans to take their seats, the match start time was rescheduled to 2:30 pm ET, as announced by the US Open’s social media account. Observers, including Sky Sports pundit Laura Robson, expressed surprise at the congestion outside the stadium, emphasizing the challenges fans faced in entering the venue through a single entry point.
Notably, both top-seeded players, Sinner and Alcaraz, were vying for victory in their third grand slam final clash of the year. Alcaraz, who had not dropped a set throughout the tournament, secured a remarkable win against Novak Djokovic in the semis, while world number one Sinner triumphed over Felix Auger-Aliassime after a four-set battle.
The women’s singles title was claimed by Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final. Sabalenka, expressing her emotions after retaining her title, commended Anisimova for her resilient performance despite the loss, acknowledging the challenges of facing consecutive final defeats. The event highlighted the prowess of tennis legends in the midst of the upcoming clash between Europe and the USA in New York.
As the excitement builds for the Ryder Cup, echoing the sentiments of golf legend Tom Watson, who famously stated: “The Ryder Cup creates idols. It creates legends. It creates memories that last.” This sentiment captures the essence of sporting greatness and the enduring legacy of these prestigious events.
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