Novak Djokovic gives blunt take on an unpleasant problem plaguing US Open: 'I’m not a fan of that smell either'

Barring the on-court challenge from opponents and sometimes the hostile crowd, tennis professionals have to deal with an unpleasant side of New York as well during the US Open extravaganza.

Many prominent players, including the winner of 24 Grand Slam titles, Novak Djokovic, have complained about a foul smell that persists on the courts during the tournament. The substance from which the smell emanates is nothing but marijuana.

Players complain about the unpleasant smell

Nick Kyrgios voiced his trouble with the smell in 2022. He revealed that being asthmatic, he already encounters breathing issues and hence would not want to inhale the smell of weed as it could aggravate the problem.

“People don’t know [it but] I’m a heavy asthmatic," Kyrgios said, as quoted by Tennis365. “When I’m running side to side, I’m struggling to breathe, [so the smell of weed is] probably not something I want to be breathing in between points."

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In 2023, Maria Sakkari strengthened Kyrgios’ claim by complaining about the smell to the chair umpire during her match.

“The smell, oh my gosh. “I think it’s from the park” Sakkari said, as quoted by Tennis365.

The Greek later added in a press conference: “Sometimes you smell food, sometimes you smell cigarettes, sometimes you smell weed."

“I mean, it’s something we cannot control, because we’re in an open space. There’s a park behind. People can do whatever they want.”

Alexander Zverev has also spoken out on the issue; he resorted to explaining with the help of an example.

“Court 17 definitely smells like Snoop Dogg’s living room,” Zverev said, as quoted by Tennis365. “Oh my God, it’s everywhere. The whole court smells like weed,” the German joked.

Novak Djokovic gives his take on foul smell

The matter has now been addressed by arguably the game’s greatest player ever, Djokovic. Defining it as a “stench”, he stated that as a player, one does not have any other option but to ignore the smell and get on with the match. Djokovic revealed that the smell follows players everywhere from practice to the actual matches, and it is what it is when it comes to New York. He also clearly stated that he does not fancy the smell.

“You can definitely feel it, it’s not like you can’t — actually, you feel it more than anywhere else!” the 24-time Grand Slam winner is quoted as saying by Serbian journalist Sasa Osmo.

“Some people are more bothered, some less. I’m not a fan of that smell either, actually stench.

“But it’s allowed here, and somehow you just have to accept it the way it is. You feel it everywhere, from practice to the match… That’s just how it is."