The smell of cannabis has become a recurring issue at the US Open, with players repeatedly raising concerns about smoking near the tournament grounds.
In 2022, Australian Open doubles champion Nick Kyrgios complained that a fan smoking courtside was triggering his asthma, prompting the umpire to ask spectators to refrain. Greece’s Maria Sakkari also pointed out the smell to an umpire midway through a set in 2023, although she later clarified that it was not an excuse for her defeat.
The United States Tennis Association, which organises the US Open, said it is working with local police and the parks department to reduce smoking around the boundary of the site.
It said: “While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this.”
Britain’s Fran Jones and Harriet Dart, who both qualified on Friday, have also noticed the smell.
“Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, ‘is this normal?'” said Jones, whose tournament begins against Poland’s Magda Linette on Monday.
“Because I was on the stadium, and it’s next to the park. He’s like, ‘yeah”. and I was like: ‘Well, no wonder I’m playing pretty well.'”
“This year I’ll be like ‘no, lock in, lock in!'”
After beating British compatriot Heather Watson in qualifying to set up a first-round match against the United States’ Peyton Stearns, Dart said: “I mean it’s New York. It’s New York. “
“I feel like everywhere you walk around, it’s everywhere, no?”
“It is what it is. Same for everyone.”
