Broadcasters have been ordered to censor any protests or reactions to president Donald Trump when he attends Sunday’s US Open men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Trump will make his first visit to the US Open since 2015 – when he was met with a chorus of boos in majority-Democrat New York.
On the eve of the final, the United States Tennis Association sent out an email to broadcasters, such as ESPN and Sky Sports, saying: ‘With respect to Broadcast Coverage, the President will be shown on the World Feed and the Ashe Court Feed during the opening anthem ceremony.
‘We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President’s attendance in any capacity.’
It’s understood that Trump has not been invited by the tournament itself but as the guest of a sponsor, understood to be Rolex.
There were claims that boos were edited out of live Fox coverage of the Super Bowl during Trump’s attendance earlier this year.
Broadcasters including Sky Sports have been ordered to censor any protests or reactions to president Donald Trump when he attends Sunday’s men’s singles final at the US Open
Trump is expected to watch on as Jannik Sinner faces Carlos Alcaraz in the final
However the broadcasters massage the reaction to the controversial president, mobile phone footage from fans inside the stadium will surely reveal the truth.
Spanish star Alcaraz has already spoken about Trump’s plans to watch the final – but insisted he’s ‘not to think about’.
‘It is a privilege for the tournaments having the president from every country just to support the tournament, to support tennis, and to support the match,’ he initially told reporters when quizzed about Trump after his win over Djokovic.
‘For me, playing in front of him… to be honest, I will try not to think about it. I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it.
‘But I think attending the tennis match, it’s great for tennis to have the president into the final.’
Trump has made sport a huge part of his second term as president, with Sunday’s tennis showpiece the second big event in New York he is expected to attend in the coming days.
Trump will make his first visit to the US Open since 2015 to watch Alcaraz vs Sinner
Trump made headlines in July after taking center stage at the soccer Club World Cup final
After the US Open final, he is also expected to be at Yankee Stadium on September 11 on the anniversary of the attack on the city.
That night, the playoff-chasing New York Yankees host Detroit Tigers in the Bronx, one of the best teams in baseball this season.
Trump has also confirmed that he will be at the first day of the Ryder Cup on Friday, September 26 at Bethpage in New York, too.
The President was also seen at the soccer Club World Cup final in New York back in July, where he was on hand to deliver the trophy to winners Chelsea.
