US Open Noise and Smells: Pat Cash and Angelique Kerber Detail Flushing Meadows

Former champion Pat Cash recalled a cloud of smoke from hot dog stands during his 1982 junior title run as players navigate the unique US Open noise.

Pat Cash first encountered the sensory intensity of the US Open as a junior in 1982, observing a cloud of smoke emanating from a court-side hot dog stand. Despite the distraction, Cash secured the boys' title that year and later reached the men's semifinals in 1984. During that 1984 run, he participated in the inaugural "Super Saturday," a scheduling format that featured both men's semifinals and the women's final on a single day. The tournament environment is defined by an ambient buzz, the sound of planes from LaGuardia Airport, and the aroma of burgers.

Angelique Kerber, the 2016 US Open champion, identified the volume of the crowd as the most difficult adjustment at Flushing Meadows. She recalled a night session match against Serena Williams where the roar of the fans continued unabated as she entered through the tunnel. Kerber noted that the changeovers function like a party, featuring DJs and television cameras highlighting celebrities in the stands. While she lost that specific match against Williams, Kerber described the experience on both Arthur Ashe Stadium and the outside courts as amazing.

Aviation Interference and Player Adaptations

Noise disruptions from aircraft were a known factor when the tournament was held at Forest Hills in Queens, but the issue intensified following the 1978 move to Flushing Meadows. The sound of overhead planes frequently drowned out the noise of the racket hitting the ball, a sensory cue players use to judge power, spin, and trajectory. In the early 1990s, Mayor David Dinkins intervened to coordinate flight path changes with the airport to minimize disturbances during the event.

British player Arthur Fery utilized earplugs during his first-round loss to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti to manage the environment. Fery, a semifinalist at Wimbledon earlier this summer as a qualifier, used the plugs during changeovers to block out the surroundings and focus on his tennis. He cited a lack of full recovery following a quick turnaround from the Winston-Salem tournament as a reason for his increased sensitivity to the frustration and irritation caused by the loud atmosphere.

The Evolution of Tournament Aromas

Since the legalization of marijuana in New York in 2021, players have reported the smell of weed drifting across the grounds, particularly on outside courts adjacent to Corona Park. This scent now rivals the traditional smell of burgers and hot dogs that Pat Cash first noted decades ago. Alex de Minaur, who discussed the sensory load on Wednesday, mentioned that he has adjusted his routine by staying in a quieter area of the city to find balance. He remarked that he does not mind the smell of burgers provided he is permitted to eat one.

Perspectives on the New York Atmosphere

Ben Shelton expressed a preference for the high-energy environment, stating that the US Open is the only venue where a player hears 20,000 people screaming their name. He characterized the New York sport culture as a unique global experience. While Roger Federer labeled the Australian Open the "Happy Slam" and Wimbledon maintains its all-white clothing traditions, the US Open is distinguished by its roar and distinct smells. Alex de Minaur concluded that everything at the tournament feels bigger and louder, necessitating a search for "chilled out" spaces to recover from the intensity of the grounds.