NEW YORK — US President Donald Trump’s attendance at the US Open men’s final yesterday delayed the start of the match, as hordes of tennis fans struggled to get through tightened security checkpoints.

The president joined a host of other celebrities taking in the battle between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in his first visit to the New York tournament in a decade.

Trump was greeted with loud boos — mixed with a smattering of cheers — when he was shown on screen during the match, which was delayed by 30 minutes due to his presence.

By the start of the second set, an AFP journalist saw roughly 250 people still waiting in stagnant lines to pass enhanced security checks to enter the venue.

Trump has not attended the US Open since 2015 when the then-presidential candidate and wife Melania were booed on arrival by the crowd.

While the Republican leader enjoys pockets of support in his native city, it is overwhelmingly Democratic.

People watching the Sinner-Alcaraz showdown on television may not see any unfavourable reactions to the president, because event organisers asked broadcasters not to showcase disruptions, according to several US media reports.

Spanish star Alcaraz said Friday he planned to “try not to think about” the Trump hubbub in the stands, but appreciated the attention his visit would bring to the sport.

“I don’t want myself to be nervous because of it, but I think attending the tennis match, it’s great for tennis to have the president (at) the final.”

Major tournament sponsor Rolex welcomed Trump into its stadium box, with the president briefly appearing alongside the company’s CEO, as well as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The Geneva-based luxury watchmaker’s invite came after Trump hit Switzerland with a 39 per cent tariff as part of his trade war, one of the highest rates on US trade partners.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Steve Witkoff — Trump’s envoy for peace missions — were also present.