British tennis players competing at this year’s US Open have raised concerns about an unexpected obstacle at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: the persistent smell of marijuana drifting from neighboring Corona Park.
The complaints from British competitors have added an unexpected subplot to the hard-court Grand Slam, which kicked off in late August and runs through early September. Players have described the aroma as a distraction during practice sessions and while transitioning between courts at the Flushing Meadows facility.
Katie Boulter, Britain’s leading contender in the women’s draw, addressed the issue during media availability in New York. “You smell it a lot. I’m not a huge fan,” Boulter said, according to reports from the Guardian.
The complaints carry a notable irony. British players had departed the pristine grass courts of Wimbledon less than two months earlier, where the All England Club enforces strict protocols around its hallowed grounds. Now competing on the hard courts of New York, they have encountered a distinctly different green-related issue.
New York State legalized recreational marijuana use for adults in December 2021, following legislative changes that permitted possession and consumption under state law. However, public consumption remains subject to regulations, with designated areas for marijuana use in public spaces. Corona Park, which directly borders the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, has become a location where public marijuana use occurs despite existing restrictions.
Tournament organizers have not issued public statements addressing the player complaints. Representatives for the United States Tennis Association, which runs the US Open, did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Why It Matters
The complaints highlight a tension between legal recreational activities and the professional requirements of elite athletes preparing for high-stakes competition. Professional tennis players maintain rigorous training and preparation schedules, with practice sessions forming a critical component of tournament readiness.
Performance at the US Open carries significant financial and ranking implications for competitors. The Grand Slam offers substantial prize money, with first-round losers receiving approximately $100,000 and the champion earning around $3.6 million. Ranking points awarded at the tournament can substantially affect players’ seeding and entry into subsequent events.
Environmental factors at major sporting venues have drawn increased attention in recent years. Players at various tournaments have raised concerns about everything from extreme heat to lighting conditions to crowd noise. The marijuana smell represents an unusual addition to this list of performance considerations.
“The atmosphere at a tournament matters to athletes,” said Dr. James Morrison, a sports psychologist at Loughborough University. “Distractions, even mild ones, can affect focus during training and potentially carry into competition. Players develop specific routines, and unexpected sensory experiences can disrupt those patterns.”
British players have historically performed respectably at the US Open. Andy Murray won the tournament in 2012 and reached the final again in 2018. Emma Raducanu made history in 2021 by winning the tournament as a qualifier, though she has not competed at Flushing Meadows since due to injury struggles.
Background and Context
The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center sits in the Queens borough of New York City, adjacent to Corona Park. The proximity of the two venues means that activities in the park can potentially affect conditions at the tennis center, particularly during outdoor practice sessions.
New York’s marijuana legalization came after years of debate about drug policy reform in the state. The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act decriminalized possession of up to three ounces of cannabis for personal use and established a framework for commercial sales. However, the law contains provisions regarding public consumption, with local governments empowered to designate specific areas where smoking marijuana remains prohibited.
Corona Park has served as a venue for major public events and recreation in Queens. The park’s location adjacent to the tennis center has made it a gathering spot for fans during the US Open, with some choosing to consume legal substances while watching matches or waiting for player appearances outside the venue.
This is not the first time outdoor conditions have affected tennis players at major tournaments. The Australian Open has dealt with smoke from nearby bushfires during extreme weather events, with players raising health and performance concerns. Indian Wells in California has faced dust and air quality issues during drought conditions. The US Open itself has implemented policies regarding extreme heat, including cooling breaks and suspended play during dangerous temperature conditions.
The contrast with Wimbledon remains striking for British players. The All England Club, set within the exclusive Wimbledon neighborhood, maintains strict protocols around its grounds. Consumption of alcohol is limited to specific areas, and the manicured grass courts exist within a carefully controlled environment far removed from the urban surroundings of Flushing Meadows.
What to Watch Next
The US Open continues through the first week of September, with British players still active in both the men’s and women’s draws. Tournament organizers may face pressure to address player concerns if the issue persists or intensifies.
Whether the complaints influence any changes at the venue remains uncertain. The USTA has implemented various player comfort measures at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in recent years, including expanded shade structures, hydration stations, and updated practice facilities. The marijuana smell issue represents a different category of concern that may require coordination with New York City parks officials or law enforcement.
Player performance in the coming days will determine whether the distraction proves merely a curiosity or develops into a more significant issue. Several British competitors remain in contention for deep runs in the tournament, with Boulter among those seeking to advance past early-round matches.
The intersection of legal recreational activities and elite professional sports highlights evolving social norms around substance use in the United States. Similar tensions have emerged at other venues and events as marijuana laws have changed across multiple states. How sporting organizations respond to such issues may set precedents for future events.
Conclusion
The complaints from British tennis players about marijuana smell at Flushing Meadows underscore the realities of hosting major sporting events in urban environments where legal recreational activities occur in adjacent public spaces. While the issue lacks the gravity of other tournament concerns, it reflects broader questions about athlete welfare and environmental conditions at professional sporting venues.
Whether the smell of marijuana drifting across practice courts constitutes a meaningful distraction or simply an amusing footnote to this year’s US Open remains to be seen. The players will continue their preparation for Grand Slam competition, navigating the unique atmosphere of New York in late summer.
For now, the scent of legal marijuana remains part of the sensory landscape at Flushing Meadows, an unexpected reminder that professional tennis exists within the broader social context of the city surrounding it.
Sources
The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/29/britons-unhappy-us-open-tennis-practice-courts-smell-marijuana-new-york
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Story synopsis gathered from: Guardian International — source
