This year’s US Open is seeing a lot of green, and it’s not just from the tennis courts. The presence of cannabis has fans divided on whether it’s a good or bad addition to the event.
During a recent doubles match, Casper Ruud, ranked 12th in the world, voiced his displeasure about the strong smell of marijuana. “The smell is everywhere,” he lamented after the match, mentioning that it made things challenging for him.
“We have to accept that, but it’s not my favorite odor,” he added. “It’s really distracting to be playing and feel that someone is smoking nearby.”
Yet, some fans suggested he might need to adjust to the environment. “He needs to relax. He should smoke a little something to ease his nerves for the next match,” remarked Matt Kovacs, a Canadian fan in Queens.
“I think he’ll just have to get used to it. It’s legal now,” Kovacs added.
The familiar scent of marijuana mingles with typical food aromas like fried burgers at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Despite the ban on smoking and vaping at the venue, some staff noted they’ve seen people indulging but weren’t sure how to handle it.
“I’ve seen vapers around. I just don’t know what we’re supposed to do,” said one worker. The rise in marijuana use at the event stems from its legalization in New York since 2021.
“Catch us at the French Open. We won’t be stopped,” quipped Chantal Bishop, a fifty-two-year-old lifelong New Yorker. “We’re here to enjoy ourselves.”
“When’s he playing next? I’ll probably be smoking then,” she added.
Another attendee, John Siegel, described himself as a “former pot smoker” and referred to Ruud as “P-Sy.” He questioned if the athlete was familiar with the atmosphere.
However, not all responses favored the tennis star. “I definitely noticed the smell around here,” said Allison Israel, 45. “But it’s pretty common in New York. I even smelled it at an upscale restaurant upstate.”
She acknowledged Ruud’s concerns, saying he made a valid point.
Deb Allen, 72, suggested that anyone smoking in the stands should be more considerate. “People should keep the trash in check. Who wants to deal with that smoke?” she mentioned.
Still, even supporters of Ruud agreed he might need to adapt, as they don’t expect the issue to disappear anytime soon. “This is part of society now; it’s legal,” noted Shelton Stone, 69. “Every major city has it—Rome, Paris, Tokyo—you just learn to work with it.”
