British number one Katie Boulter is absolutely fed up, telling everyone that the distinct smell of cannabis at the US Open is straight up messing with her game. Look, the final major of the season kicks off this Sunday at Flushing Meadows, New York, and while cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over there, Boulter says this whole situation is a massive distraction when you’re trying to focus.
When a Whiff Throws Off Your Entire Game
It’s one thing to have a tough opponent, it’s another to be battling against an invisible cloud of distraction. Boulter, the world number 60, isn’t holding back, calling herself “not a huge fan” of the odor. She’s smelled it “a lot” on the practice courts, and even during a past match, saying flat out that it “takes you out of the moment.” You’re out there, trying to lock in against American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee in the first round, and suddenly you’re thinking about something else entirely. That’s just not what you need at a major, right?
And she’s not alone. This isn’t some new thing. Players like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have been bothered by the smell in previous years. We’ve seen this movie before. Remember in 2022 when Nick Kyrgios got triggered by a fan smoking courtside, kicking off his asthma? The umpire even had to ask fans to chill out. Or Maria Sakkari in 2023, pointing it out mid-set. She said it wasn’t an excuse, but come on, you know it’s not helping. The smell just wafts onto the courts from nearby Corona Park because smoking itself isn’t allowed on site. The USTA, who runs this whole show, says they’re working with local police and the parks department to cut down on smoking near the boundary. They claim they’re “vigilant,” but also admit they “can’t control what takes place off the grounds.” Tough spot, but players are feeling it.
“It Is What It Is” Says Some, But Focus Is Everything
Not everyone is as bothered as Boulter. Britain’s Fran Jones and Harriet Dart, who both qualified for the main draw, have noticed it too, but with different takes. Jones even joked about it last year, saying “is this normal?” and then figuring it might be why she was “playing pretty well.” Now, she’s trying to mentally tell herself “no, lock in, lock in!” Dart’s perspective is pure New York. “I mean it’s New York. It’s New York. I feel like everywhere you walk around, it’s everywhere, no?” she said after beating Heather Watson to set up her first-round match against Peyton Stearns. “It is what it is. Same for everyone.”
Yeah, it might be New York, and it might be the same for everyone, but when you’re a professional athlete, every single tiny distraction can make a difference. Boulter’s facing Carol Young Suh Lee, and every bit of focus will count. This isn’t just a quirky New York thing, it’s a legitimate complaint that can impact performance. Can players like Boulter block it out and stay completely locked in as the tournament kicks off? We’re about to find out, and honestly, the thought of any player losing focus because of a smell just feels… wrong.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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