US Open Final: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz rivalry peaks as USTA Memo warns broadcasters on Donald Trump's coverage

The US Open 2025 is set to conclude with the most anticipated contest between world number one Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday. Sinner, who is also the defending champion, cemented her spot in the grand finale of the competition after beating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinal with a score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

On the other hand, Alcaraz defeated the former world number one Novak Djokovic in the semifinal in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. It will be the third occasion when Sinner and Alcaraz will face off in the final of a Grand Slam this year. Their first meeting in the grand finale of a major event in 2025 came at the French Open, where the young Spaniard came out on top in a five-set thriller with a score of 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.

That victory was extremely special for Alcaraz, who managed to save three championship points in the fourth set and came back from two sets down to secure a win in a match which lasted more than five hours and officially became the second-longest final in the history of Grand Slams in the Open era. Sinner did not take long to take his revenge on Alcaraz as he defeated him in the final of Wimbledon with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

For a very special contest, there will be a very special figure sitting in the stands, the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. The news broke on Saturday about the presence of the head of state in the men’s final on Sunday. Trump, despite being the president of the country, remains a divisive figure. He continues to divide opinion, a trend that was evident when he attended a US Open match 10 years ago in 2015.

At that time, Trump, who was the presidential candidate, received loud boos from the spectators sitting in the arena as soon as he appeared on the big screen. To avoid something similar this time around, as per the CNN, the US Tennis Association (USTA) has asked the broadcasters to focus on what’s happening on the court.

According to the report, the USTA has sent a memo to the broadcasters, which is more of a request than an order, to focus on on-court developments. “Refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the president’s attendance,” read the memo. The USTA, in a statement to CNN, stated that the organisation usually send memos to the broadcasters about dealing with the situation. “We regularly ask our broadcasters to refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions,” said the statement.

President Trump has been a regular presence at sporting events in the US. He appeared at the Super Bowl earlier this year. Later, he was seen watching a UFC event. Most recently, Trump was at the stage for the trophy giving ceremony of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, where English club Chelsea lifted the title after beating French and European champion Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

On the court, things will heat up when Sinner faces Alcaraz. Sinner, who had to take a medical timeout in the semifinal, did not participate in the outdoor practice on the off day before the all-important clash. That intensified rumours that Sinner might not be 100 per cent fit for the final on Sunday. Those rumours were categorically denied by Sinner’s coach Simone Vagnozzi, who admitted that Sinner had some abdominal issues in the semifinal, but he felt fine after receiving treatment and is now ‘calm’ before the final. “He had some abdominal discomfort at one point, but after treatment with the physiotherapist it’s gone away,” said Vagnozzi. “I don’t think it’s anything serious. He’s very calm ahead of Sunday.”