Boulter and Jones Report Marijuana Odors at 2026 US Open

British number one Katie Boulter and teammates reported strong marijuana odors drifting from Corona Park onto the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center courts.

British number one Katie Boulter and qualifiers Fran Jones and Harriet Dart have reported a pervasive smell of marijuana across the Flushing Meadows site during the 2026 US Open. While smoking is strictly prohibited within the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the aroma originates from the adjacent Corona Park, where adult use of the substance is legal in New York. Boulter confirmed the scent is particularly strong on the practice courts and the park-side match courts, describing it as a distraction that pulls players out of the moment during competition.

Fran Jones, the British number three, noted that the proximity of the stadium to the public park led to similar experiences during her first-round appearance last year. Jones recalled joking with an official about the situation, questioning if the odor was normal for the venue. Harriet Dart, who successfully navigated the qualifying rounds alongside Jones to reach the main draw, characterized the scent as an unavoidable element of the New York environment, noting that the conditions remain the same for every competitor in the tournament.

Player Reactions to Court Conditions

Katie Boulter expressed a strong dislike for the scent, stating that it interferes with the high level of focus required during a match. She noted that multiple players have lodged complaints regarding specific courts where the smell is most concentrated. Boulter emphasized that she had personally experienced the odor while playing a match, which she found to be an unwelcome distraction. The British top seed highlighted that the practice area is one of the primary locations where the scent is most noticeable to the athletes.

Fran Jones shared a specific anecdote from her previous campaign, where she questioned a staff member about the legality and frequency of the smell. After being told the occurrence was standard for the location, she quipped about her performance levels at the time. However, for the current 2026 tournament, Jones stated her intention to remain locked in and ignore the external environmental factors.

USTA Response to Off-Site Activity

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) issued a formal statement addressing the concerns raised by the British contingent. The governing body acknowledged that they lack jurisdiction over activities occurring outside the boundaries of the tennis center grounds. Despite this limitation, the USTA maintained that they continue to be vigilant in monitoring the environment within the facility to ensure regulations are upheld.

Harriet Dart reiterated that the presence of the smell is a city-wide reality rather than a site-specific issue. She observed that the scent is present almost everywhere one walks in New York. As the tournament progresses, the players must contend with these external sensory distractions while competing on the outside courts near the park boundary.

Impact on Tournament Focus

The transition from the grass courts of Wimbledon to the hard courts of the US Open usually involves adjusting to surface speed, but the 2026 event has forced players to adapt to the local atmosphere of Flushing Meadows. Boulter remains firm that the smell is something she would prefer not to encounter in the middle of a professional match. The British players continue their campaigns while the USTA maintains its stance on site vigilance regarding the legal off-site activity in Corona Park.