Britain's No.1 Katie Bolter Leads Call Against Cannabis Aroma at US Open

New York’s US Open is under scrutiny as players complain about a strong cannabis smell drifting from Corona Park onto the tournament’s outer courts. British champion Katie Bolter, ranked 60th worldwide, has become the most vocal advocate for a cleaner environment.

Speaking before her opening match against wildcard Carol Young‑Suh Lee, Bolter explained that the pungent odor “breaks my concentration” and “creates a distraction that can affect performance.” She recalled a previous encounter where the smell lingered throughout a match, urging officials to consider stricter measures.

Teammates Fran Jones and Harriet Dart added their voices, with Jones noting a light‑hearted exchange with a park official last season and Dart emphasizing that such odors are common in many venues but should not impair athletes.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) responded that it is “vigilant” about the situation, even though it cannot directly police activities outside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The association promised to keep players informed and to work with local officials.