British tennis players preparing for the US Open in New York say they are being distracted by a marijuana smell wafting from nearby Corona Park into parts of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. They report noticing the scent around outside courts used for practice and, in some cases, during matches.
Both outlets note that adult cannabis use is legal in New York, but smoking is not allowed on the tournament site. The reports attribute the odor to activity occurring outside the grounds and sometimes drifting toward courts near the park. British No.1 Katie Boulter is quoted describing the experience and saying she is “not a huge fan,” adding it can take players out of the moment.
The coverage also includes other players’ accounts, including Fran Jones and Harriet Dart, who describe having smelled cannabis in past US Open matches and practice sessions. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) says it cannot control actions outside its property, but it remains “vigilant” and alert to the issue. The reports place the complaints in context of prior years, citing earlier comments by players about cannabis-related smells during US Open events.
