Court 17 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has become notorious for a funny reason during the 2023 U.S. Open.
Multiple players have complained about the smell of marijuana (which is legal in New York) courtwafting in from … somewhere. Is it someone lighting up in the stands while the tournament is going on?
My theory, as someone who has played and visited there: It’s possible the smell is coming from Corona Park, which is adjacent to the court. But either way, this is a trend.
“It was weed,” Maria Sakkari mentioned after her first-round loss, via USA TODAY Sports. “The smell, oh my gosh.”
She also smelled it during practice, and added that it didn’t affect her match.
Alexander Zverev said the same, with this funny quote:
"It 𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙨 like Snoop Dogg's living room!"
There's something in the air at the US Open (or at least on Court 17) that players can't help but notice …#USOpen pic.twitter.com/9TsXn3j9zI
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 30, 2023
Is it weed? Will it continue to be a trend? We’ll see.