It is seriously *so* great to have an actual tennis journalist doing reporting on all the shady background aspects of tennis. So glad we have Ben.
And to the U.S. Open execs: SHAME on you. Total censorship of your attendees, who hopefully have the decency to boo this city-hating, Putin-obsessed, immigrant-abusing cretin. I get that you want your rich fans to just shut up and drink their $23 Honey Deuces, but gawd this is all so embarrassing. Great work, Rolex and U.S. Open!
This is appalling. So much for free speech. I sincerely hope attendees will boo him loudly and proudly every chance they get and that broadcasters will find their backbone.
I don't know if it will happen, or how long it would be sustained, but I'd love it if the crowd directs derogatory chants at him between points and games. Simply booing would probably be weird and confusing for Sinner and Alcaraz, but something with words that clearly apply to Trump would be great.
A crowd full of normal-salaried diehard tennis fans would absolutely do this and yell all sorts of creative things at Trump and represent real NYC. I still am worried about what kind of crowd we’re going to get tomorrow given the ticket prices
Thank you Ben for reporting on the despicable and deeply disheartening actions by the US Open organizers and the complicit USTA. One can only hope their plans are derailed in some way.
I hope Trump either doesn't show up or else that every person so inclined in Ashe documents and posts the reality to their social media feeds. The "cover up" could end up being the story instead of the wished sanitation by the USTA.
A parallel thing occurred this past week at Vuelta a España (the pro bike race in Spain). Pro-Palesinian protests have occurred and even ended up neutralizing the end of one of the daily stages because the local police and officials didn't feel they could guarantee the riders' safety. The NBC-Peacock coverage (which to be fair was done remotely based on a feed) only described that they were protestors and otherwise glossed over the intensity of what had occurred. I don't know if they were ordered by NBC to sanitize the coverage. Meanwhile independent podcasters from "The Cycling Podcast" did fantastic coverage not just of what happened, why a particular team was targeted, how the cyclists felt--but basically made it most of their coverage for two days.
Thanks for your sharp work, Ben! Indeed SHAME on the U.S. Open. What can Trump do to hurt them? A tennis tax? Tennis tariffs on prize $$ to players from other nations? Another instance of our dangerous capitulations to this wannabe autocrat. . . .oh, and the $20 billion his family has raked in from looser crypto regs?
Best idea for the watchers on Ashe in my view - turn your backs on Trump. Please don't boo during the match because it would confuse the players. Trump is not their problem. They're just trying to give the viewers a good match. Of course many of the people in the stadium will be fabulously wealthy and possibly Trump supporters but not all. Turn your backs people!! Silence.
As always, thanks for your excellent reporting Ben! As far as I can tell, you scooped all other media outlets in getting this very important story out.
I wonder how this will affect the players caught up in the middle. This is the tournament that prides itself on their progressive stances. Held in one of the most diverse cities, celebrating Althea Gibson’s legacy this year.
It is seriously *so* great to have an actual tennis journalist doing reporting on all the shady background aspects of tennis. So glad we have Ben.
And to the U.S. Open execs: SHAME on you. Total censorship of your attendees, who hopefully have the decency to boo this city-hating, Putin-obsessed, immigrant-abusing cretin. I get that you want your rich fans to just shut up and drink their $23 Honey Deuces, but gawd this is all so embarrassing. Great work, Rolex and U.S. Open!
Does the USTA have a strategy regarding the 22,000 people with phones and social media accounts?
Thanks for reporting this Ben. The USTA continues to disgrace the game.
This is appalling. So much for free speech. I sincerely hope attendees will boo him loudly and proudly every chance they get and that broadcasters will find their backbone.
I am tired of all the preemptive bending of the knee
10000% do not obey
I don't know if it will happen, or how long it would be sustained, but I'd love it if the crowd directs derogatory chants at him between points and games. Simply booing would probably be weird and confusing for Sinner and Alcaraz, but something with words that clearly apply to Trump would be great.
A crowd full of normal-salaried diehard tennis fans would absolutely do this and yell all sorts of creative things at Trump and represent real NYC. I still am worried about what kind of crowd we’re going to get tomorrow given the ticket prices
Thank you Ben for reporting on the despicable and deeply disheartening actions by the US Open organizers and the complicit USTA. One can only hope their plans are derailed in some way.
Unreal and it’s a shame you have to spend your time reporting on this clown show instead of tennis.
I hope Trump either doesn't show up or else that every person so inclined in Ashe documents and posts the reality to their social media feeds. The "cover up" could end up being the story instead of the wished sanitation by the USTA.
A parallel thing occurred this past week at Vuelta a España (the pro bike race in Spain). Pro-Palesinian protests have occurred and even ended up neutralizing the end of one of the daily stages because the local police and officials didn't feel they could guarantee the riders' safety. The NBC-Peacock coverage (which to be fair was done remotely based on a feed) only described that they were protestors and otherwise glossed over the intensity of what had occurred. I don't know if they were ordered by NBC to sanitize the coverage. Meanwhile independent podcasters from "The Cycling Podcast" did fantastic coverage not just of what happened, why a particular team was targeted, how the cyclists felt--but basically made it most of their coverage for two days.
L O V E that this post is getting shared so widely (at least on Bluesky) and more people get to know about Ben’s great journalism chops.
Thank you for sharing - I missed that story on the bike race and I live in Spain
Yes, it’s been quite a story from Spain.
Thanks for your sharp work, Ben! Indeed SHAME on the U.S. Open. What can Trump do to hurt them? A tennis tax? Tennis tariffs on prize $$ to players from other nations? Another instance of our dangerous capitulations to this wannabe autocrat. . . .oh, and the $20 billion his family has raked in from looser crypto regs?
Best idea for the watchers on Ashe in my view - turn your backs on Trump. Please don't boo during the match because it would confuse the players. Trump is not their problem. They're just trying to give the viewers a good match. Of course many of the people in the stadium will be fabulously wealthy and possibly Trump supporters but not all. Turn your backs people!! Silence.
As always, thanks for your excellent reporting Ben! As far as I can tell, you scooped all other media outlets in getting this very important story out.
I wonder how this will affect the players caught up in the middle. This is the tournament that prides itself on their progressive stances. Held in one of the most diverse cities, celebrating Althea Gibson’s legacy this year.
So glad to see the Athletic - NYT credit for your scoop on this story, Ben. We'll deserved!
People unsubscribed because you reported on Trump’s visit?
Yeah, I’m confused by that. Did they unsubscribe because they support Trump or because they dislike Trump? Or because they work for Rolex?
I have no idea, and it wasn't a *massive* exodus to be sure, but I certainly did notice it when signing back onto Bounces this morning.
Just gifted an annual Bounces subscription to a friend to make up for one of those unsubscribing bozos. #doingmypart
Sorry to hear that. Thanks for the reply.