The smell of cannabis has been a persistent challenge at the US Open.
In 2022, Australian Open doubles champion Nick Kyrgios complained that a fan was triggering his asthma by smoking courtside, prompting the umpire to ask supporters to chorus.
Greece’s Maria Sakkari pointed the smell out to an umpire halfway via a set in 2023, later clarifying that it wasn’t an excuse for her defeat.
The United States Tennis Association, which organises the occasion, says it really works with the native police and parks division to cut back smoking on the location boundary.
It stated: “While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this.”
Britain’s Fran Jones and Harriet Dart, who both qualified on Friday, have additionally seen the smell.
“Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, ‘is this normal?'” stated Jones, whose match begins towards Poland’s Magda Linette on Monday.
“Because I was on the stadium, and it’s next to the park. He’s like, ‘yeah”. and I used to be like: ‘Well, no marvel I’m enjoying fairly nicely.’
“This year I’ll be like ‘no, lock in, lock in!'”
After beating British compatriot Heather Watson in qualifying to arrange a first-round match towards the United States’ Peyton Stearns, Dart stated: “I mean it’s New York. It’s New York.
“I really feel like all over the place you stroll round, it is all over the place, no?
“It is what it is. Same for everyone.”