Professional tennis players competing at the US Open have expressed mounting frustration about marijuana odours wafting onto courts from nearby areas, creating an unwelcome distraction during matches.
The issue particularly affects courts situated closest to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, where the distinctive smell has become increasingly noticeable to athletes during play.
Multiple top-ranked players have voiced concerns about having to compete whilst inhaling cannabis smoke, describing it as an unwanted element of their New York tournament experience.
The phenomenon has earned certain courts unofficial nicknames amongst players and staff, with Court 17 and Grandstand reportedly experiencing the strongest odours, especially during busy periods like Labor Day weekend.
Alexander Zverev was among those to complain about the marijuana smell
|REUTERS
The situation represents a unique challenge for competitors accustomed to the more controlled environments of other Grand Slam venues.
Several prominent players have publicly aired their grievances about the persistent cannabis aroma at Flushing Meadows.
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Alexander Zverev delivered perhaps the most memorable assessment in 2023, declaring that Court 17 "smells like Snoop Dogg's living room."
Novak Djokovic acknowledged the issue to Serbian media, stating: "You can really smell the smell, it's not like you can miss it. Some people are more disturbed than others."
The Serbian champion added: "I'm not a fan of the smell either, it stinks. But it's allowed here and you have to accept it. You can feel it everywhere, from the training grounds to the courts where we play our matches. That's how it is."
Casper Ruud expressed similar sentiments during the mixed doubles event preceding the main tournament, calling the cannabis smell "the worst thing about New York."
New York State legalised recreational marijuana use for adults over 21 in 2021, fundamentally altering the environment around public spaces including the US Open venue.
Novak Djokovic admitted he is not a fan of the smell
|REUTERS
Tournament organisers maintain a smoking ban within the grounds, but they remain powerless to prevent cannabis use in surrounding areas, particularly the adjacent public park.
The legal framework permits adults to possess up to three ounces of the substance, making enforcement of smoke-free zones beyond venue boundaries impossible.
Ruud acknowledged this reality, saying: "We can't do anything about it unless the law changes, but I doubt that will happen."
The marijuana smoke has effectively become an accepted aspect of competing in New York, joining the city's characteristic sounds of overhead aircraft and the tournament's distinctive atmosphere.
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Beyond the cannabis issue, this year's tournament has witnessed concerning incidents of fan misconduct that have crossed acceptable boundaries.
During a match involving world number 76 Kamil Majchrzak, Polish businessman Piotr Szczerek was filmed snatching a cap intended for a young fan, placing it in his wife's bag whilst the child protested.
The incident concluded positively after Majchrzak issued an online appeal to locate the youngster, eventually reuniting with him to provide another cap and photographs.
Security personnel were forced to intervene during another incident when a spectator attempted to access Jannik Sinner's equipment bag whilst the player signed autographs following his victory over Alexander Bublik.
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| XBritish number three Jacob Fearnley noted the exceptional noise levels at Louis Armstrong Stadium during his second-round loss to Zverev, enquiring whether such volume was typical for the venue.
The combination of cannabis odours and increasingly unruly crowd behaviour has raised questions about the impact on competitive tennis quality at Flushing Meadows.
The tournament's atmosphere, amplified by the signature Honey Deuce cocktail and constant DJ entertainment, creates an environment where tennis occasionally becomes secondary to socialising and drinking.
Louis Armstrong Stadium particularly exemplifies this phenomenon, with its persistent din of conversation, phone calls and general commotion that can overwhelm the actual sporting event.
Novak Djokovic remains unbeaten against Taylor Fritz after charging into the last four of the US Open | REUTERSWhilst electric atmospheres can enhance dramatic moments, as witnessed during Taylor Fritz's quarter-final defeat to Djokovic, the boundary between energetic support and disruptive behaviour has been repeatedly breached this year.
Players must now navigate not only their opponents but also external distractions ranging from marijuana smoke to security incidents, potentially affecting their concentration and performance levels.