Boulter: Cannabis smell distracts at US Open

British number one Katie Boulter says the smell of cannabis from a nearby park is a distraction on US Open practice courts, echoing complaints from other

British number one Katie Boulter has complained that the smell of cannabis is distracting her at the US Open. The world number 60 says she can smell it "a lot"on the practice courts ahead of the final major of the season, which begins on Sunday at Flushing Meadows in New York."I know a lot of players have complained on some of the specific courts," Boulter said. "I've played on one before and I did smell it during my match.

It's something that I wouldn't like to smell in the middle of my match. I'm trying to focus and then obviously, it takes you out of the moment."She added that players do not need such distractions."I said to the guy, 'is this normal?'" Jones recalled. "Because I was on the stadium, and it's next to the park.

He's like, 'yeah'. and I was like: 'Well, no wonder I'm playing pretty well.'"

Tournament Response and Player Reactions

The United States Tennis Association (USTA), which organizes the event, says it works with local police and the parks department to reduce smoking on the site boundary. "While we can't control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this,"a statement said. Other British players have commented."I mean it's New York.

It's New York," Dart said. "I feel like everywhere you walk around, it's everywhere, no? It is what it is.

Same for everyone."

Fran Jones noted her approach would be different this year. After last year's joke, she said, "This year I'll be like 'no, lock in, lock in!'" The issue persists as players check the latest fixtures and prepare for their opening matches, with some hoping their focus outweighs the unusual environmental challenge.

Source: BBC Sport