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ESPN Prepared If Candidates Visit Open


The race for the White House could pass through tennis' top brick house.

Both Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton live in New York—Trump resides in midtown Manhattan, former New York Senator Clinton in suburban Chappaqua, N.Y. — both have ties to tennis and if recent history is any indicator, it's possible either Presidential candidate could visit the upcoming US Open.

More: ESPN Plans New Sights, Sounds For US Open Coverage

In 2000, Bill Clinton became the first sitting American President to visit the US Open where he watched Pete Sampras beat Lleyton Hewitt. The President sat next to John McEnroe and the Hall of Famer's kids watching the action from a court-side box.

Donald Trump has attended the US Open annually for several years. Trump is a recreational player, who has hit with Serena Williams and in the 1990s attended the New York stop on the senior circuit co-owned by Jimmy Connors and Ray Benton.

See Trump hit with Serena at 5:15 of the video below; and hear the notoriously vocal New York City crowd's reaction to Trump's visit to the 2015 US Open at about 5:45 of the video.



If either Presidential candidate visits the US Open, host broadcaster ESPN will try to get a live interview.

Jamie Reynolds, ESPN vice president, production told Tennis Now the network learns the guest list a day before celebrities visit the Open and know in advance if they're agreeable to an interview.

"It's a coordinated effort. The USTA handles their guest list, their attendees," Reynolds told Tennis Now. "They have a group that marshals that and handles that. They make us aware of who may be in the house, what the plans are, whether they're open to being a part of the telecast or whether they prefer to just come out and enjoy the tennis and that's their night off. It's a dynamic dialogue that takes place on a daily basis. We typically know 24 hours in advance."



Photo credit: US Open/USTA

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