By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, August 29, 2025
Photo credit: Miami Open/Hard Rock Stadium
NEW YORK—Novak Djokovic has enjoyed High Times at the US Open.
These days, the Grand Slam king is smelling something much stronger than success in Flushing Meadows—and he says “it stinks.”
Four-time US Open champion Djokovic notes the smell of marijuana has grown so pervasive in Flushing Meadows, he sometimes feels as if he’s playing in a greenhouse.
“You can really smell the smell, it’s not like you can miss it,” Djokovic told Serbian media. “Some people are more disturbed than others.
“I’m not a fan of the smell either, it stinks. But it’s allowed here and you have to accept it. You can feel it everywhere, from the training grounds to the courts where we play our matches. That’s how it is.”
New York state legalized recreational marijuana use in March of 2021 (not that any of the Tennis Now team has gone green) and several players, including Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Maria Sakkari and Alexander Zverev, have noted tennis in Flushing Meadows sometimes smells like a smoke show in a ganja game.
One reason is the US Open is built on Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, one of the largest parks in New York City. While you won’t see fans outside the stadium walking around blowing bong hits, it’s not uncommon to smell weed or see people passing through the park passing a joint while they walk.
There’s a strong NYPD presence around the USTA-Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, but marijuana is legal in New York, cannabis dispensaries are common in the city and some fans smoke up before entering the NTC grounds.
Casper Ruud, who reached the US Open Mixed Doubles final partnering Iga Swiatek, said the smell of weed is the “worst” part of his annual US Open experience.
“For me, it’s the worst thing in New York,” Ruud told the media. “The smell is omnipresent, even on the courts. You have to accept it, but it’s not my favorite smell.
“It’s quite irritating to play, to be tired, and a few meters away, someone is smoking weed. There is nothing you can do about it unless the law changes, but I doubt it.”
Given the tax revenue New York State generates from cannabis dispensaries and the fact smoking weed is so common in and around New York City it’s unlikely the laws will change.
Court 17, which is right near the park, and the Grandstand Court which is adjacent to the Grand Central Parkway and a sidewalk that runs through the park to the US Open gates, are two of the courts which players say can reek of weed at times.
A few years back, Alexander Zverev famously said Court 17 smells like “Snoop Dogg’s living room.”
Of course, the US Open buzz brings out the celebratory spirit in fans.
If you’ve visited the US Open in recent years, then you know New York fans are a thirsty bunch.
More than 556,000 servings of Grey Goose vodka’s Honey Deuce drinks were sold at the 2024 tournament by the USTA— a 23.5% increase over year prior — resulting in a record-setting $12.8 million in sales.
Maybe someday, the USTA, diligent in boosting the bottom line, will partner Snoop Dogg, Mike Tyson or Ricky Williams in selling cannabis-infused drinks to brings fans the buzz without the skunky smell that frustrates some players.
