Katie Boulter Raises Cannabis Smell Concern Before US Open

British number one Katie Boulter has raised concerns about cannabis odour reaching the courts at the US Open, saying it can interrupt her concentration during play. BBC Sport reported her comments before the season's final Grand Slam begins on Sunday at Flushing Meadows in New York. Boulter is due to face American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee in the first round.

Cannabis use is legal in New York for adults aged 21 and older, although smoking is prohibited on the tournament site. According to the BBC report, odour can drift from nearby Corona Park onto courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Boulter, ranked 60th in the world, said she has regularly noticed it on practice courts and has previously encountered it during a match.

Boulter said players do not need an additional distraction while trying to maintain focus. Her concern is not new to the event: several competitors have mentioned the smell during recent editions of the US Open. Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev are among those previously affected, while Nick Kyrgios complained in 2022 that courtside smoke was aggravating his asthma.

Maria Sakkari also alerted an umpire to the odour during a set in 2023, though she later made clear that she was not presenting it as a reason for her defeat. The repeated comments underline the practical difficulty facing organisers, because smoke originating outside the grounds may still reach players and spectators inside the venue.

The United States Tennis Association, which runs the tournament, told BBC Sport it works with local police and the parks department to reduce smoking around the boundary. The USTA said it cannot control activity beyond the grounds but remains vigilant in its efforts to manage the issue. No change to Boulter's match schedule was reported.

British qualifiers Fran Jones and Harriet Dart have noticed the smell as well. Jones, who is scheduled to play Poland's Magda Linette on Monday, recalled experiencing it near the park last year. Dart, who beat fellow Briton Heather Watson in qualifying and will meet American Peyton Stearns in the first round, described the odour as a common feature of New York and noted that all players face the same conditions. Boulter's comments nevertheless put the recurring concern back in focus as the main draw gets under way.