Overview

• Ruud called the cannabis smell the “worst thing about New York,” saying it is pervasive “even here on the courts” and distracting during play.
• The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is designated smoke-free, yet New York legalized recreational cannabis in 2021 where tobacco smoking is allowed.
• Similar concerns have surfaced in recent years, with Nick Kyrgios in 2022 and Maria Sakkari in 2023 noting the odor and its impact on concentration.
• Reports attribute the odor to smoke drifting from nearby public areas, including Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, despite venue restrictions.
• Following his comments, the No. 12 seed opened his singles campaign with a straight-sets win over Sebastian Ofner.