Overview

• Ruud described the smell as the worst part of New York, saying it is everywhere, including on the courts, and that it distracts players when they are fatigued.
• Tournament authorities have tried to address complaints, but they cannot control activity outside the venue, with odors believed to drift in from Flushing Meadows–Corona Park and often noticed near Court 17.
• New York’s 2021 legalization of recreational cannabis, which permits public use by adults, is cited as a key reason the smell is common around the US Open grounds.
• Player remarks have surfaced in previous years, including discomfort expressed by Maria Sakkari and Alexander Zverev’s quip likening Court 17 to a Snoop Dogg lounge.
• The issue echoes reports at other major events, such as the 2024 Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix, where drivers, including Max Verstappen, commented on strong cannabis odors.