The 2023 US Open has started, and some players have noticed a distinct smell at Flushing Meadows, especially on Court 17.
Alexander Zverev, the world No. 12, said after his first-round match, “The whole court smells like weed. Court 17 definitely smells like Snoop Dogg’s living room.”
Maria Sakkari, the world’s eighth-ranked women’s tennis player, also remarked on the smell during her match. When asked about it in the press conference following her loss to Rebecca Masarova, Sakkari said the smell was noticeable but did not affect the game significantly.
Sakkari mentioned that since the matches are played in an open-air stadium near a park, athletes have to accept it as part of the environment.
Sakkari said, “Sometimes you smell food, sometimes you smell cigarettes, sometimes you smell weed. It’s something we cannot control because we’re in an open space. There’s a park behind. People can do whatever they want.”
According to the Associated Press, the United States Tennis Association conducted an investigation to determine the source of the smell. Officials were questioned, and video footage of the midday match was reviewed.
The investigation did not find evidence of spectators smoking marijuana in the stands. It is more likely that the smell originated from Corona Park, which is located right outside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
This is not the first time the smell of marijuana has been noticed at the US Open. Last year, Nick Kyrgios, who is not participating this year due to an injury, also complained about the smell, particularly because of his asthma.
“When I’m running side to side, I’m struggling to breathe,” Kyrgios said. “Probably not something I want to be breathing in in between points.”
Click here for everything you need to know about the 2023 US Open, including the schedule, scores, and how to watch.
