Carlos Alcaraz secured his second U.S. Open title Sunday, defeating Daniil Medvedev in a final delayed by the unexpected arrival of former President Donald Trump at the tournament. The match, played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, concluded 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 6-1, 6-3, marking alcaraz’s continued dominance in the sport at age 20.
The former president’s appearance drew important attention, prompting a brief security pause as he entered the arena and briefly overshadowing the athletic competition. His visit occurred weeks after the implementation of a 39% tariff on swiss products,a move that impacts companies like Rolex,which was prominently displayed on Trump’s wrist during the event. This juxtaposition has sparked commentary regarding international trade relations and the optics of the former president’s public engagements.
This marks the first time a sitting or former president has attended the U.S. Open since Bill Clinton in 2000. Trump, however, has made a point of attending major sporting events during his post-presidency, including the Super Bowl earlier this year and a planned UFC fight hosted at the white House next year. He previously held a suite at the U.S.Open but relinquished it in 2017 during his first term in office.
Rolex has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the tariff and the former president’s choice of timepiece. Alcaraz’s victory solidifies his position as a leading figure in men’s tennis and sets the stage for continued competition as the tour moves forward.
