Heightened security measures were in place at the US Open on Sunday as President Donald Trump prepared to attend the men’s singles final at Flushing Meadows.
Trump, 79, was scheduled to appear at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since 2015, when he was met with boos from sections of the New York crowd.
According to a source quoted by the Daily Mail, preparations included precautionary sweeps for a wide range of potential threats, including chemical agents.
“We’ve been scoping out the area with our colleagues in the CIA and taking precautions in the event of an attack using chemical weapons or nerve agents,” the source said.
Heightened security measures were in place at the US Open on Sunday as President Donald Trump prepared to attend the men’s singles final at Flushing Meadows
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The measures were described as routine for a presidential visit and not related to any specific threat.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) had also issued guidance to broadcasters in advance of Trump’s attendance.
In an email seen by outlets including ESPN and Sky Sports, the USTA said: “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.”
Trump, who is attending as a guest of Rolex, one of the tournament’s major sponsors, will watch the final between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz addressed the prospect of playing in front of the US President during his post-match press conference following victory over Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
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Donald Trump attended the Club World Cup final clash between Chelsea and PSG back in July
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“It is a privilege for the tournaments having the president from every country to support the tournament, to support tennis, and to support the match,” he said.
“For me, playing in front of him… to be honest, I will try not to think about it. I don’t want to be nervous because of it.
"But I think it’s great for tennis to have the president into the final.”
Trump’s appearance at the US Open is part of a broader series of sports events he is expected to attend in New York this month.
On September 11, he is due at Yankee Stadium for the Major League Baseball matchup between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.
Later in the month, on September 26, he is set to attend the opening day of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage in Long Island.
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Donald Trump will watch the US Open final showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
| PAThe president has already been visible at several high-profile sporting occasions this year.
He attended the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in July and was also present at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.
His attendance at the NFL showpiece drew controversy after some viewers claimed crowd reactions had been edited in broadcast coverage.