4 days ago
US Open Players Report Marijuana Smell Drifting From Nearby Park
Some tennis players at the 2026 US Open say they can smell marijuana during matches and practice.
The odor is believed to drift from nearby Corona Park.
Players say the smell can interrupt their focus.
Katie Boulter said she experienced it during a match.
Fran Jones and Harriet Dart have also spoken about the problem.
Casper Ruud and Novak Djokovic previously criticized the smell.
Nick Kyrgios said smoking by a fan triggered his asthma in 2022.
The USTA says it cannot control what happens outside the tennis center, but officials are watching the situation.
Players say marijuana odor from nearby Corona Park can distract them during US Open matches and practice.
Katie Boulter said she smelled cannabis during a match and found it disrupted her concentration.
Fran Jones and Harriet Dart are among the British players who have discussed the odor.
The USTA says it cannot control activities outside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center but remains vigilant.
Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, and Maria Sakkari have previously raised concerns about cannabis smoke at the tournament.
- Who
- US Open players, including Katie Boulter, Fran Jones, Harriet Dart, Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, and Maria Sakkari.
- What
- Players are reporting that marijuana or cannabis odor is drifting onto some courts and distracting them during matches and practice.
- Where
- The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, especially outdoor courts near Corona Park.
- When
- During preparations for and at the 2026 US Open; similar complaints were reported in 2022, 2023, and the previous year.
- Why
- Players say the odor disrupts their concentration, while the USTA says it cannot control activities outside the tournament grounds.
Players’ Concerns
USTA’s Position
Distraction during matches
Players’ Concerns
Players say the marijuana smell is unpleasant and can pull them out of the moment, making it harder to concentrate during matches and practice.
USTA’s Position
The USTA says it cannot control activities occurring outside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the odor is reportedly coming from.
Response to recurring complaints
Players’ Concerns
Players including Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic, Katie Boulter, Fran Jones, and Maria Sakkari have publicly raised concerns about the recurring smell.
USTA’s Position
The USTA says it remains vigilant about the situation despite the limits on its control beyond the tournament grounds.
Key facts
- Tournament
- US Open 2026
- Location
- New York
- Reported source
- Nearby Corona Park
- Venue
- USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
- Organizing body
- United States Tennis Association
- Legal context
- Marijuana is legal for adults in New York, but smoking is prohibited inside the US Open grounds.
- Notable court
- Court 17, which is closest to the park, has been dubbed “hash court” by sections of the Danish press.
Quotes
Katie Boulder
British No. 1 tennis player quoted discussing cannabis odors during US Open matches
“I'm not a huge fan of it. I know a lot of players have complained on some of the specific courts. I've played on one before and I did smell it during my match. It's something that I wouldn't like to smell in the middle of my match. I'm trying to focus and then obviously, it takes you out of the moment and you really don't want to.”
freepressjournal.in
deccanchronicle.com
Novak Djokovic
Serbian tennis player and former world No. 1
“I'm not a fan of the smell either, it stinks”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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