British players at the US Open have reported the smell of marijuana drifting onto outside courts from the nearby Corona Park.
Key facts
- •Marijuana is legal for adults in the state of New York.
- •The odor is reported to drift onto courts from the nearby Corona Park.
- •Katie Boulter stated the smell acts as a distraction during matches.
- •The USTA confirmed it cannot control activity occurring off the tournament grounds.
British tennis players competing at the US Open in New York have reported being distracted by the smell of marijuana on the tournament's outside courts. While smoking is prohibited on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the odor originates from the adjacent Corona Park.
Player reactions to the odor
British No. 1 Katie Boulter stated that she has encountered the smell during practice and match play, noting that it serves as a distraction that pulls her out of her focus. She expressed that she is not a fan of the situation, particularly while competing. Other players offered varying perspectives. Fran Jones, the British No. 3, noted that she previously asked tournament staff about the smell, while Harriet Dart suggested that the prevalence of the odor is a common aspect of the environment in New York.
Tournament response
The USTA issued a statement acknowledging the situation. The organization stated that while it cannot control activities occurring outside the grounds of the National Tennis Center, it remains vigilant in maintaining the site.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Tennis.
