Full Breakdown
British Players Decry Cannabis Odor on US Open Practice Courts
8/29/2026, 9:01:44 PM
The Issue at Flushing Meadows
During the 2026 US Open, several British players reported that the smell of cannabis drifted onto outdoor practice courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. They said the odor was strong enough to pull their focus away from match preparation. The complaints centered on courts adjacent to Corona Park, where cannabis consumption is legal for adults in New York.
Legal Context and Prior Complaints
New York legalized adult cannabis use in 2021, but smoking is prohibited inside the tournament grounds. Because the park borders the complex, the scent can reach the outer courts. The problem is not new: former champions Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, as well as Nick Kyrgios (2022) and Maria Sakkari (2023), have previously cited the smell as a distraction during US Open play.
Player Reactions
World No. 60 Katie Boulter said the smell “a lot” on practice courts made it difficult to stay in the moment. Fellow British qualifiers Fran Jones recalled a similar experience last year and warned she would be more vigilant this time. Harriet Dart added that the odor is ubiquitous throughout New York and affects every player.
Official Response
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) issued a statement acknowledging the issue: while the organization cannot control activities that occur off the tournament grounds, it remains “vigilant” in monitoring the situation and working with local authorities to limit smoking near the venue.
Data & Statistics
- Katie Boulter – world ranking No. 60, British No. 1.
- Fran Jones – British No. 3, entered the main draw through qualifying.
- Harriet Dart – qualifier who reached the main draw after defeating Heather Watson.
No quantitative measurement of odor intensity has been released.
Why It Matters
Players argue that an unexpected scent can break concentration, potentially affecting performance in a Grand Slam setting. The USTA’s inability to regulate off-site behavior raises questions about how tournament organizers will address environmental factors that lie outside the immediate control of the venue.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm not a huge fan of it,” — Katie Boulter
- “Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, 'Is this normal?'” — Fran Jones
- “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,” — Harriet Dart
- “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,” — Katie Boulter
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources convey a consistent narrative that the cannabis smell is present and distracting; no contradictory figures or alternative explanations appear. However, the reports lack independent verification of how widespread the odor is across different courts and do not provide data on any measurable impact on match outcomes.
What's Next
The USTA has indicated it will continue to coordinate with local police and the parks department to reduce smoking near the tournament perimeter. No specific future actions or deadlines have been announced.
