NEW YORK – Fans endured a long wait to enter the US Open Final Boo and chanted “Let ous In! Let us!” When the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Giannik Sinner began on Sunday late.
As President Donald Trump watched the match from suites inside Arthur Ash Stadium, additional security measures were introduced, and the US Tennis Association pushed back the start of the match to the original 2pm.
But thousands of fans were still far from the arena entrance when play finally began.
After they arrived at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center, they said they were never informed that there would be a long wait for them to enter. After they passed security to enter the property, as usual, there was another stop that was then checked to Ash in front of the stairs.
“We recognize that the increased security for the President’s visit to the US Open may have contributed to the delay in attendance,” the Secret Service said in a statement. “We are so grateful for all our fans for the patience and understanding. Protecting the President took comprehensive efforts, and we are grateful for the essential collaboration and support of the US tennis community and the New York Public Safety Partners.”
A video board sign above the entrance to Ash told fans that the match was being pushed back at 2:30 due to “security measures,” but that they first knew it.
“You get notifications when there is a delay on the plane,” said Diana Diaz, who also attended the last Saturday of a woman who traveled from Florida with her fiancé Derrick Cutler and never waited in front of Ash.
They spent time eating ice cream while they lined up, but fans asked what was causing such a delay.
“This is not a delay. It’s another thing,” Diaz said.
USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre said emails were sent to ticket holders on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and a push message was sent to the US Open App at 9am on Sunday.
But many fans never saw it. Thousands of people are stuck in a meandering line to the practice court near the entrance as play begins. When shots of the crowd were shown during ABC coverage, broadcaster Chris Fowler said fans were “not being properly told to prepare for this.”
In fact, as usual, some early arrivals went to the on-site shop after washing away the pasture. One fan said she would get to the line for Ash if she bypassed it and knew how long it would take.
The match was shown on one of the big screens above the entrance so we could see it while the fans were waiting, but another match showed some of the match’s statistics.