Martina Navratilova labelled the delay to the US Open men’s final as “insane”, with president Donald Trump’s presence leaving thousands stranded outside the stadium before the start of the match.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner faced arch rival Carlos Alcaraz for the final grand slam of the season, with Trump attending the tournament for the first time since 2015 as Alcaraz defeated his rival in four sets.
As a result of Trump’s arrival, extra security measures were in place outside Arthur Ashe Stadium. With thousands unable to enter on time into the one entrance available, the final was delayed by half-an-hour.
Sinner and Alcaraz eventually made it on court at 2:37pm local time but, with hundreds unable to enter the stadium and with many empty seats visible well into the first set, Navratilova was unimpressed.
“I don’t know whose idea it was [to enter like this], but it’s insane,” said four-time US Open singles champion Navratilova, 68, on Sky Sports Tennis.
“It is a delay that they’ve never had [the players], because all the venues now have a roof.
“They really need to time it just right, to eat just right, to warm up. Both are in the same boat, but it’s really unfortunate.
“Let’s spare a thought for the thousands of people waiting outside, in the drizzle, it’s been raining and they’ve paid thousands of dollars for these tickets. It’s more than half-empty still.”
Both Alcaraz and Sinner were instructed to arrive at the grounds earlier than usual so to avoid disruption to their preparations for the final.
Sinner downplayed the delay following his defeat to Alcaraz, a result that saw the Spaniard reclaim the World No 1 ranking with his second US Open title.
“No, it was fine,” said the Italian. “They told us in a huge amount before that the match start at 2:30, so we were not warming up twice. It was all fine.”
Alcaraz’s coach and former World No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero also said that the delay did not have too much of an impact on their pre-game routine.
“We move a little bit later the warm-up,” Ferrero said. “We supposed to start warming up 1:30, and at the end we move it to 2:00.
“He had lunch before we know that the match has moved to 2:30, so we couldn’t move the lunchtime. We don’t do too much. Just wait and don’t think too much.”
Sinner also said he was not impacted by walking out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium to see thousands of empty seats.
“I wasn’t actually realising it that much,” Sinner said. “I felt like it was still very loud. I saw some empty seats, but I had no doubts that they’re going to be full and packed.
“It’s not a thing where I was, like, worried that no people will come. No, it was an amazing atmosphere.”
Trump arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queen’s after flying in from the White House on Sunday morning.
Air Force One arrived at LaGuardia airport, with roads around the Billie Jean King tennis centre in Flushing Meadows closed to prepare for his arrival.
Enhanced security measures were in place for spectators, with TSA-style security screening for all individuals as they entered Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Fans told The Independent that it took them around 30 minutes to pass through security, but that was before the queues became even longer.
Trump watched the match from a private suite in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, and was seen waving from his box after arriving around 30 minutes before the intended start time.
The USTA asked broadcasters to refrain from showing any negative reaction towards Trump during the US president’s appearance.
Trump’s appearance on the big screen at the US Open was met with boos and cheers as he attended the final flanked by Cabinet members and family.
During the national anthem, Trump’s face appeared on the jumbotron for around 30 seconds and loud booing could be heard around the stadium.
After Alcaraz took the first set, Trump’s face appeared again on the screen, this time to a mix of boos, cheers and clapping.
