Executive Summary
- The USTA has asked broadcasters to avoid showcasing crowd reactions to President Trump’s presence at the US Open men’s final.
- This directive aims to keep the focus on the match, following past instances of significant crowd responses, including booing, during Trump’s appearances at sporting events.
- The USTA’s request underscores a broader effort to manage the intersection of high-profile political figures and major public events to keep the spotlight on the athletic competition.
The Story So Far
- The USTA’s request for broadcasters to avoid showcasing crowd reactions to Donald Trump at the US Open men’s final is rooted in its long-standing practice of minimizing off-court disruptions to maintain focus on the match. This directive is particularly pertinent given President Trump’s past appearances at major sporting events, including the 2015 US Open, which have historically drawn significant and sometimes mixed crowd responses, creating a challenge for broadcasters aiming to keep the spotlight on the athletic competition.
Why This Matters
- The USTA’s directive to broadcasters to avoid showcasing crowd reactions to Donald Trump’s presence at the US Open men’s final underscores the increasing challenge event organizers face in managing the intersection of high-profile political figures and major public events, actively attempting to control the narrative and keep the focus strictly on the athletic competition amidst potential political expressions.
Who Thinks What?
- The US Tennis Association (USTA) has requested broadcasters to avoid showcasing crowd reactions or disruptions related to President Trump’s attendance at the US Open men’s final, aiming to keep the focus on the match.
- Broadcasters typically prioritize game-centric coverage, often avoiding off-court disruptions, but have previously shown political protests due to their news value, though the USTA’s current directive aims to prevent this for Trump’s appearance.
- Crowds at Donald Trump’s recent sporting events have exhibited varied responses, ranging from cheers to significant booing, indicating a potential for diverse reactions at the US Open.
President Trump is set to attend the US Open men’s final match on Sunday afternoon at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York City, prompting the US Tennis Association (USTA) to ask broadcasters to avoid showcasing crowd reactions to his presence. The request aims to keep the focus on the match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, following past instances of significant crowd response during Trump’s appearances at sporting events.
Coverage Directives and Past Precedents
The USTA’s directive to broadcasters, including ESPN and ABC, which is airing the final, was outlined in a memo asking them to “refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the president’s attendance.” This aligns with the association’s stated practice of regularly requesting broadcasters to avoid highlighting “off-court disruptions.”
This is not the first time President Trump’s attendance at the US Open has drawn attention. In 2015, when he attended as a presidential candidate, the crowd reaction included prominent booing, which was widely reported by news outlets. ESPN’s broadcast at the time notably lingered on shots of Trump during a quarterfinal match.
Broadcaster Practices and Political Context
Sports networks typically aim to keep broadcasts focused on the game, often avoiding showing streakers or other attention-seeking stunts. However, political protests introduce a different dynamic due to their inherent news value.
For instance, when environmental activists disrupted a US Open semifinal match in 2023, causing a significant delay, ESPN did show some live footage of the protesters. The network’s coverage, however, primarily emphasized the impact of the disruption on the players, maintaining its sports-centric focus.
Speculation regarding potential crowd reactions has circulated, with some individuals expressing hopes for a political protest. Conservative lawyer George Conway, for example, made a “tongue firmly in cheek” post on X referencing potential chants.
Trump’s Recent Sporting Appearances
Donald Trump has attended several major sporting events since January, with varied crowd responses. At the Super Bowl in February, he was seen briefly on camera, with stadium screens showing more cheers than boos.
More recently, at the FIFA Club World Cup final in July, Trump was cheered upon his arrival at MetLife Stadium. However, he reportedly received boos when shown on video screens during the national anthem and again when helping to carry the competition trophy to the stage, leading to viral videos of the reception.
As President Trump prepares to attend the US Open final, arriving in New York for the 2 p.m. ET expected start, the USTA’s request underscores a broader effort to manage the intersection of high-profile political figures and major public events, aiming to keep the spotlight on the athletic competition itself.
