'It takes you out of the moment': Katie Boulter says cannabis smell is distracting her at the US Open
Katie Boulter, who has complained that cannabis smoke from a nearby park is disrupting her concentration at the US Open, is ranked 60th in the world.
British No. 1 Katie Boulter has complained that drifting cannabis smoke from New York's Corona Park is disrupting her focus at Flushing Meadows, where the main draw begins today. The world No. 60 says she has already smelled it during a match on one of the outer courts, calling it unwanted and unnecessary. Fellow Britons Fran Jones and Harriet Dart have echoed her frustration, though Dart was more philosophical about it.
New York permits cannabis use for those 21 and older, but smoking is banned on USTA grounds — the smell drifts in from the neighbouring Corona Park.
Djokovic, Zverev and Kyrgios have all previously complained; Zverev said in 2023 'the whole court smells like weed'.
The USTA says it works with local police but admits: 'We can't control what takes place off the grounds.'
