Carlos Alcaraz stated that Donald Trump’s attendance at the US Open final would be "positive for tennis" as the former US leader gets ready to watch a match at Flushing Meadows for the first time in ten years.
The 22-year-old Spaniard secured his place in Sunday’s final by defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Friday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He will compete against defending champion Jannik Sinner for his sixth grand slam title and a third victory in New York.
When asked about Trump’s expected presence at the final, Alcaraz responded favorably.
"I believe it is a privilege for tournaments when leaders from any country attend to show support for the event, the sport, and the match," he said. "For me, playing in front of him... I’ll try not to focus on it. I don’t want it to make me nervous, but having a leader at the final is certainly good for tennis."
The United States Tennis Association confirmed on Friday that Trump would be seated in a private suite at Ashe.
Before entering politics, Trump was a regular spectator at the US Open. His organization previously held a suite near the broadcast area but relinquished it in 2017, his first year as president.
This year, Trump has attended several major sporting events, including the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia, and July’s Club World Cup final in New Jersey, where his appearance during Chelsea’s trophy presentation drew attention.
While Barack and Michelle Obama were present on the opening night of the US Open in 2023, Trump’s return on Sunday will be the first by a sitting or former president since Bill Clinton attended the women’s final in 2000.
Alcaraz, who first won the US Open as a teenager in 2022, has become the first male since Roger Federer in 2015 to reach the final without losing a set. He acknowledged that while Trump’s presence adds an unusual dimension to the match, it won’t divert his focus.
"It’s good for tennis," Alcaraz said. "But on Sunday, my only task is to perform at my highest level and not let anything interfere."
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