President Donald Trump made a rare return to the US Open on Sunday, stepping briefly from a luxury box to wave at fans ahead of the men’s final.

The gesture drew a mix of cheers and boos inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, which was only partly filled at the time.

Trump attended as a guest of Rolex, despite having recently slapped steep tariffs on Swiss goods. His appearance was not announced in advance, and tournament organisers sought to limit broadcast coverage of any negative reaction.

The president’s reliance on high-profile sporting events as domestic showcases has become a hallmark of his second term. Sunday’s match, between defending champion Jannik Sinner of Italy and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, was delayed 30 minutes due to extra security, with Trump arriving more than 45 minutes before play began.

His Rolex invitation raised eyebrows, coming just weeks after his administration imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss products — far higher than levies on EU and UK imports. The White House declined to comment.

Trump was joined by senior administration officials including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Celebrities including Bruce Springsteen, Ben Stiller and Shonda Rhimes were also in attendance.

The president, once a fixture at the Open, has not attended since being loudly booed in 2015. His return underscored both his Queens roots and the polarising presence he now brings to American sport.