A night of high-stakes tennis at the US Open was thrown into disarray on Thursday as the arrival of former President Donald Trump caused major security bottlenecks and left hundreds of spectators stranded outside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The scene unfolded ahead of the highly anticipated women's semi-final match between American favourite Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova. Trump, accompanied by a substantial Secret Service detail, arrived at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, creating a logistical nightmare for event security.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as security protocols were intensified to accommodate the former president's entourage. 'There was a huge backlog,' one frustrated fan reported. 'The Secret Service shut down the gates for a period, and no one could move. It was a complete standstill.'
The security clampdown resulted in significant delays, with many ticket holders missing the crucial opening games of the first set. The disruption occurred despite Trump's attempt to avoid the spotlight by arriving after the match had officially begun.
Inside the stadium, Trump's presence did not go unnoticed. Seated in a courtside box, he received a mixed reception—a chorus of boos mingled with some cheers—as he was shown on the stadium's big screen during a break in play. The former president appeared engrossed in the match, watching intently as the young American star, Gauff, battled her opponent.
This incident highlights the immense logistical challenges that accompany visits from high-profile figures with significant security requirements, often at the expense of the general public's experience at major sporting events.
