18-time tennis Grand Slam winner Martina Navratilova has blasted U.S. President Donald Trump and accused him of jealousy after spotting what he did at the US Open final.
Trump, 79, was in attendance at Flushing Meadows as Carlos Alcaraz defeated 2024 US Open champion Jannik Sinner 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4, to capture his sixth Grand Slam.
The match lasted four sets after the start was delayed for around 30 minutes due to increased security checks surrounding Trump’s appearance.
Once the President entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium, he was greeted with a mixture of boos and applause.
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Trump was the first active U.S. president to attend the event since Bill Clinton in 2000.
And while the American national anthem, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ was played ahead of the event, some fans once again chose to boo Trump when he appeared on the big screen.
Several other celebrities, including Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola, NBA player Steph Curry and Hollywood actor Danny DeVito, watched on from the stands.
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Earlier in the tournament, Alcaraz explained how it was a “privilege” to have the support of world leaders and added that it was “great for tennis”.
But not everyone was pleased to see Trump at the event, including former women’s singles world number one Navratilova, 68.
The now-retired Czech tennis player picked up on how Trump failed to clap in the moments after Alcaraz’s victory.
Navratilova wrote on X: “Never saw Trump clap. Not once. He is so jealous!!! And when the whole place erupted, clapping for Bruce Springsteen while playing Born in the USA it was magical!!!”
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Of course, singer Springsteen has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s presidency and often voices his dismay at the current state of American politics during his concerts.
A video of Trump signing what appeared to be red hats emblazoned with the words ‘Make America Great Again’ also circulated online, to which American diplomat Monica Crowley replied: “There will never be another like him,” before Navratilova added: “Here is hoping.”
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Trump appears to be using high-profile sporting events to enhance his popularity and public image in recent times, and was among Chelsea’s celebrations when they defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey back in July.
On that occasion, not only did Trump watch on, but he was also on the podium alongside captain Reece James as he lifted the trophy, before FIFA president Gianni Infantino invited the 79-year-old to step aside.
Next summer, the US, along with Mexico and Canada, will play host to the World Cup finals, and there’s no doubt Trump will be front and centre once more.
Topics: Tennis, US Open, Donald Trump, Carlos Alcaraz
Luke Davies