In an unprecedented move at a major sporting final, television broadcasters covering the US Open were instructed to deliberately censor coverage of former US President Donald Trump's attendance at the men's singles final.
The directive, issued to international feeds including Sky Sports UK, specifically ordered cameras to avoid prolonged shots of Trump and to mute audible anti-Trump protests that erupted inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium during the match between Italy's Jannik Sinner and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz.
A Command From The Top
The order reportedly originated from the USTA (United States Tennis Association) itself, which manages the tournament. Broadcasters were told to refrain from focusing on the 45th President and to effectively silence the chorus of boos and chants that greeted his arrival and persisted throughout the match.
This intervention ensured that millions of viewers watching the highly anticipated match were largely unaware of the significant political demonstrations unfolding in the stands, presenting a sanitised version of the event's atmosphere.
Mixed Reception in the Stadium
Inside the New York venue, Trump's presence was met with a decidedly mixed reception. While some sections of the crowd offered applause and cheers, the former President was also met with loud, sustained booing and chants of 'lock him up!' from other spectators.
Despite the audible dissent on-site, the broadcast feed available to UK audiences via Sky Sports remained conspicuously neutral, with commentators not acknowledging the political undertones that were palpable within the stadium.
Questions Over Broadcasting Integrity
The incident raises serious questions about the integrity of live sports broadcasting and the influence of event organisers on editorial output. By commanding international feeds to alter their coverage, the USTA has been accused of manipulating the narrative and shielding a high-profile political figure from public dissent.
This move is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the intersection of politics and sport, and the responsibilities of broadcasters to present events as they truly happen, rather than a curated version approved by organisers.
