Wimbledon has Centre Court, the Australian Open has the Bar Court – and the US Open has what some now call the “Hash Court.” Unlike the tranquil lawns of SW19, Flushing Meadows sits under the flight path of New York’s busy airports. The noise, concrete, and eclectic crowds are part of the spectacle, but so too is a persistent cannabis smell that has become almost synonymous with tennis on the outer courts.
Since recreational marijuana was legalized in New York in 2021, the cannabis smell has woven itself into daily city life. Like the subway steam rising from manholes, it’s part of the sensory backdrop. Unfortunately for some of the world’s top tennis players, the cannabis smell has also drifted into their workplace – the courts of the US Open.
Players scheduled on outer courts closest to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park report being distracted by the strong cannabis smell. Casper Ruud, during a mixed doubles match, called it the “worst thing about New York.” He described trying to play while inhaling the cannabis smell, saying it was no fun when already tired from competition.
The issue gained more attention in 2023 when Alexander Zverev said Court 17 “smells like Snoop Dogg’s living room.” Staff working at both Grandstand and Court 17 told reporters the cannabis smell was particularly noticeable over the Labor Day weekend. Novak Djokovic even commented to Serbian media that “you can really smell it everywhere,” explaining that while some are unfazed, he personally isn’t a fan of the cannabis smell either.
New Yorkers are known for their high-energy pace, and the city’s legalization of recreational marijuana hasn’t been associated with antisocial behavior in moderation. But the intersection of cocktails, rowdy crowds, and the persistent cannabis smell has created a unique atmosphere at the US Open that sometimes tips from electric to disruptive.
This year’s tournament saw several off-court incidents involving fans crossing boundaries, from snatching souvenirs meant for children to reaching into players’ bags. The lively energy that makes Flushing Meadows special can quickly sour when combined with overindulgence and distractions like the cannabis smell.
Flushing Meadows will always feel different from Wimbledon’s hushed lawns. Yet as tennis continues to grow in diverse urban settings, balancing that vibrant crowd energy with a professional playing environment – and finding ways to mitigate the cannabis smell on court is becoming an important conversation for players, officials, and fans alike.