Marijuana Scent Permeates US Open Courts

Smoking remains prohibited within the US Open grounds, but the USTA confirms it cannot control activities occurring off-site; vigilance persists.

The United States Tennis Association collaborates with local authorities, working to reduce smoking near the site boundary, as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center sits nestled within Corona Park.

This location means no jurisdiction exists to prevent individuals over 21 from possessing marijuana adjacent to the courts.

The smell of cannabis is understood to waft onto courts from the nearby park, reportedly bothering several players in previous years.

Katie Boulter claimed the cannabis scent disrupted her game at the US Open, noting its strong presence on the practice courts.

Boulter further stated she detected the scent during her match: "I’m trying to focus and then obviously, it takes you out of the moment and you really don’t want to... You don’t need distractions. So yeah, I wasn’t a huge fan of it."

Nick Kyrgios previously claimed a fan triggered his asthma by smoking courtside, while Maria Sakkari stated the smell offered no excuse for her defeat.

Fran Jones recalled making a joke about the smell last year during her first round, asking if it was normal because she was on the stadium court next to the park.

Harriet Dart offered a broader perspective: "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."

Court 17, known as 'the pit' due to its sunken position below ground level, may be particularly susceptible to the prevailing scents.

The USTA maintains that while they cannot control activities off their grounds, they continue to be vigilant in managing the situation.