The smell of cannabis has been a persistent issue 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 refrain.
Greece’s Maria Sakkari pointed the smell out to an umpire midway through a set in 2023, later clarifying that it wasn’t an excuse for her defeat.
The United States Tennis Association, which organises the event, says it works with the local police and parks department to reduce smoking on the site boundary.
It said: “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 also noticed the smell.
“Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, ‘is this normal?'” said Jones, whose tournament begins against 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 was like: ‘Well, no wonder I’m playing pretty well.’
“This year I’ll be like ‘no, lock in, lock in!'”
After beating British compatriot Heather Watson in qualifying to set up a first-round match against the United States’ Peyton Stearns, Dart said: “I mean it’s New York. It’s New York.
“I feel like everywhere you walk around, it’s everywhere, no?
“It is what it is. Same for everyone.”