Overview
- As the US Open main draw opened on Sunday, several players including British No.1 Katie Boulter said the smell of cannabis drifting from nearby Corona Park was a distracting presence on outside courts and practice areas.
- The USTA reiterated that it cannot control activity off USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds but said it remains vigilant, works with NYPD and the Parks Department, and has previously reviewed security footage that pointed to the park as the source rather than spectators in the stands.
- Court 17, which sits closest to Corona Park and is sunken below ground level, is repeatedly singled out as the worst-affected spot and has a long history of similar complaints and nicknames referencing the drifting smell.
- Players’ responses range from formal complaints and health concerns such as asthma to bemused resignation, showing that the odor can interrupt focus and potentially affect performance for some competitors.
- Because New York allows adult recreational cannabis and much of the tennis complex sits inside the larger park, organisers have limited jurisdiction to stop off-site use and any major policy change would likely require action by city or state authorities rather than the tournament alone.