The 2026 U.S. Open is officially underway, with the first round set to begin Sunday, August 30, in Flushing Meadows, Queens. The final Grand Slam of the tennis season brings hundreds of players competing for glory in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. But as the action heats up on the courts, a different kind of heat is rising—one that has nothing to do with the sun.
Players are voicing their frustration over an unexpected opponent: the pungent aroma of marijuana wafting from a nearby park. While New York state allows recreational weed for adults, smoking is strictly prohibited on USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds. Yet the smell drifts over the outer courts, creating an unwelcome distraction for athletes trying to stay locked in.
This isn't a new phenomenon for anyone who's spent time in the Big Apple—weed smoke is as much a part of the city's fabric as honking taxis. But when you're competing for a Grand Slam title, the last thing you need is a contact high from a stranger's blunt.
Players Speak Out
Katie Boulter, Britain's No. 1, didn't mince words when asked about the smell. "Yeah, I have experienced it. You go down to the practice courts and down in the park courts, you do smell it a lot," she said. "But yeah, I'm not a huge fan of it. I know a lot of players have complained on some of the specific courts."
Boulter recalled a match where the scent infiltrated her focus. "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. 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."
Fellow Brit Fran Jones, the No. 3, echoed those sentiments with a dose of humor. "Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, 'is this normal?' Because I was on the stadium, and it's next to the park," she said. "He's like, 'yeah.' and I was like, 'well, no wonder I'm playing pretty well.' This year I'll be like 'no, lock in, lock in!'"
Official Response
The USTA released a statement acknowledging the issue. "While we can't control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this." It's a delicate balance, as the tournament can't police the surrounding neighborhood, but players deserve a distraction-free environment.
This isn't the first time athletes have dealt with unusual conditions, but it adds a unique challenge to an already grueling tournament. As play continues, fans can expect more drama on and off the court. For those keeping an eye on the bigger picture, the distractions in pro sports are nothing new, but this one has a particularly aromatic twist.
Will the smell fade as the tournament progresses, or will it become a recurring storyline? Either way, players will have to adapt. After all, even the most seasoned athletes face unexpected hurdles. For now, the U.S. Open continues, with players hoping the only thing they smell is victory.
