US Open Cannabis Odor
Persistent Cannabis Smoke Distracts Players and Disrupts Matches at US Open
Anonymous
Key Points
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Alexander Zverev previously likened Court 17’s marijuana odor to 'Snoop Dogg's living room,' underscoring the notoriety of the smell on that court.
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Novak Djokovic said the smell is pervasive—'You can really smell the smell, it’s not like you can miss it... it stinks. But it’s allowed here and you have to accept it. You can feel it everywhere, from the training grounds to the courts where we play.'
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Corona Park surrounds the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre by about 900 acres and includes a zoo, a model aeroplane field and a pitch‑and‑putt golf course, with 12 tennis courts used as a practice facility for the tournament’s lesser‑known players.
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Fran Jones recalled last year’s Court 17 experience, joking about whether the cannabis smell was normal and noting that Court 17 is the closest to the park, which she tied to her performance at the time.
Cannabis smoke from nearby Corona Park is distracting players at the US Open at Flushing Meadows, with British stars Katie Boulter and Fran Jones reporting the smell takes them out of the moment during matches. The Independent reported that the odor wafts onto outdoor courts despite smoking being prohibited on site, creating a persistent problem that has plagued the tournament for years.
Court 17, the closest to the 900-acre Corona Park, has become notorious for the smell. Novak Djokovic previously said the odor is unavoidable: "You can really smell the smell, it's not like you can miss it... it stinks. But it's allowed here and you have to accept it." Yahoo Malaysia noted that while cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over in New York, enforcement on the tennis grounds remains difficult.
British Players Voice Frustration With Distracting Fumes
Katie Boulter described the cannabis smell as genuinely distracting during her matches, breaking her focus at critical moments. Fran Jones joked about the experience last year on Court 17, even wondering if she was hallucinating from the fumes. The Sun reported that players are now being warned about the issue before competing.
Court 17's Notoriety Grows Among Top Seeds
Alexander Zverev famously likened Court 17's marijuana odor to "Snoop Dogg's living room," underscoring the court's notorious reputation among elite players. The court sits closest to Corona Park, making it the epicenter of the smell problem. Even veteran champions like Djokovic have commented on the pervasive fumes, calling it an unavoidable but tolerated nuisance of playing at this Queens venue.
Corona Park's Size and Location Complicate Control Efforts
The 900-acre Corona Park surrounds the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre and includes a zoo, model airplane field, and pitch-and-putt golf course. The Mirror noted that the park's proximity and size make smoke-control enforcement nearly impossible, especially since cannabis is legal for recreational use in New York. Tournament officials face an uphill battle keeping the smell off courts during matches.
A Long-Standing Problem With Few Solutions
The cannabis smell issue has persisted for years, with no clear remedy in sight. Players must simply accept the distraction as part of competing at the US Open's Queens location. While the tournament remains a premier event, the proximity to Corona Park means this odor will likely continue troubling players for seasons to come.
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