US Open 2026: Cannabis smell at New York courts draws player complaints
Synopsis
The cannabis smell drifting from Corona Park into the outside courts at Flushing Meadows has become a recurring headache at the US Open — and 2026 is no different. With Britain’s Katie Boulter, Fran Jones, and Harriet Dart all speaking out before the main draw even begins, and the USTA limited in what it can do off its own grounds, this is a problem that is growing louder every year.
Key Takeaways
Katie Boulter , Britain’s No.
60 , said she can smell cannabis ‘a lot’ during practice at the US Open 2026 .
The odour reportedly drifts into outside courts from Corona Park , adjacent to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center .
British players Fran Jones and Harriet Dart also raised the issue ahead of the main draw starting Sunday .
The USTA said it remains ‘vigilant’ but acknowledged it cannot control activity off tournament grounds.
The complaint is not new: Casper Ruud (2025), Nick Kyrgios (2022), and Maria Sakkari (2023) all raised similar concerns at previous editions.
Multiple players at the US Open 2026 have raised concerns about the pervasive smell of cannabis drifting into outside courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, ahead of the main draw scheduled to begin on Sunday. The complaints come as cannabis remains legal in New York for adults aged 21 and over, with the odour reportedly wafting in from the adjacent Corona Park.
Boulter Leads the Complaints
Britain's No. 1 tennis player Katie Boulter, ranked World No. 60, was among the most vocal on the issue. Boulter, who is set to open her campaign against USA wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee, said she can smell cannabis “a lot” during practice sessions at certain outside courts.
“I’m not a huge fan of it. I know a lot of players have complained on some of the specific courts. I’ve played on one before, and I did smell it during my match. It’s something that I wouldn’t like to smell in the middle of my match,” Boulter said. She added that the smell “takes you out of the moment,” calling it an unwanted distraction during competition.
Other British Players Speak Out
Fran Jones and Harriet Dart also joined the chorus of complaints. Jones recalled a light-hearted exchange during last year’s tournament, where she joked that the cannabis smell may have helped her play well, but said she intends to “lock in” this year. Jones is set to face Poland’s Magda Linette in her opening match.
Dart, who earned her place in the main draw by defeating compatriot Heather Watson, took a more philosophical stance. “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,” she said.
USTA's Response
The organiser of the tournament, the United States Tennis Association (USTA), acknowledged the issue but noted the limits of its authority. “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,” the USTA said in an official statement.
A Recurring Problem at Flushing Meadows
This is not the first time the issue has surfaced at the US Open. In 2025, World No. 20 Casper Ruud called the cannabis smell the “worst thing” about playing in New York. Back in 2022, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios complained that a courtside spectator smoking triggered his asthma. Greece’s Maria Sakkari also went public during the 2023 US Open, describing smelling cannabis during one of her sets. The recurring nature of these complaints raises questions about whether the USTA’s current measures are sufficient, particularly as the tournament draws the world’s top players to its outside courts. With the main draw now underway, the issue is likely to remain in focus throughout the fortnight.
Point of View
From Kyrgios to Sakkari to Ruud to now an entire British contingent, suggest the USTA’s ‘vigilance’ has not translated into any measurable change. The structural problem is legal and geographic: cannabis is lawful in New York and Corona Park sits right next to the courts. Until the USTA either relocates affected matches or works with city authorities on enforcement near the venue perimeter, expect this story to return every August. The irony is that a tournament of this stature — one that bans players for substance violations — cannot guarantee a substance-free environment for its own competitors.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are players complaining about cannabis at the US Open 2026?
Players at the US Open 2026 have reported smelling cannabis during practice sessions and matches on outside courts, with the odour reportedly drifting in from Corona Park, which is adjacent to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Cannabis is legal for adults aged 21 and over in New York, making it difficult for organisers to prevent.
Who has complained about the cannabis smell at the US Open?
British No. 1 Katie Boulter was the most prominent voice, saying the smell is distracting and takes her out of the moment during matches. Fellow British players Fran Jones and Harriet Dart also commented on the issue ahead of the 2026 main draw.
What has the USTA said about the cannabis smell at Flushing Meadows?
The United States Tennis Association said it remains ‘vigilant’ on the matter but acknowledged it cannot control activity that takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. No specific new measures were announced.
Has this been a problem at the US Open before?
Yes. World No. 20 Casper Ruud called it the worst thing about New York during the 2025 edition. Nick Kyrgios complained in 2022 that a courtside spectator smoking triggered his asthma, and Maria Sakkari raised the issue during the 2023 US Open, making 2026 at least the fourth consecutive year the problem has surfaced.
When does the US Open 2026 main draw begin?
The US Open 2026 main draw is scheduled to begin on Sunday. Katie Boulter opens her campaign against USA wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee, while Fran Jones faces Poland’s Magda Linette in the first round.
