Casper Ruud Aims for Grand Slam Redemption at US Open

Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud is looking to capture some of the magic he experienced during the 2022 US Open as he sets his sights on returning to the final of this year’s Grand Slam. He lost that final to Carlos Alcaraz in a closely contested fourth set. This time, he hopes to start strong, facing Sebastian Outner in the first round.

The No. 12 seed expressed excitement about being back in New York, but also shared a rather unique complaint. “It’s complicated for people to be in court with people smoking joints,” he said. “It’s quite unpleasant to have to inhale the smell when you’re tired.” Ruud noted that the aroma of marijuana can be overwhelming at times, leading him to label it as “the worst thing in New York.”

He described the scent as pervasive, even in the courthouse, and acknowledged that while they have to accept it, “it’s not my favorite smell.” Playing while tired and being just meters away from someone smoking can be extraordinarily distracting, he remarked, adding that there isn’t much they can do unless laws change.

New York legalized marijuana in 2021, but the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is designated as a non-smoking venue, according to the US Open guidelines. However, this hasn’t stopped the aroma from wafting indoors, as Australian player Nick Kyrgios previously highlighted similar concerns.

As Ruud gears up for his matches, it will be interesting to see how he balances the pressures of competition with the distractions around him. Fans will surely be cheering for his success as he navigates the challenges of the US Open once more.