Rafa Jódar debuts at the 2026 US Open amid complaints about the smell of marijuana on court 17

Rafa Jódar will make his debut this Tuesday, around 9:00 p.m. in Spain, at the US Open for professionals two years after inscribing his name on the junior team's record. The Madrid native has been scheduled on court 17 of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, also known for the strong smell of marijuana that is breathed there.

Many have complained about the cannabis aroma on the court. From Maria Sakkari, Alexander Zverev to Rebeka Masarova. "Court 17 smells like Snoop Dogg's living room," said Zverev, current world number two and top seed at the 2026 US Open. "My God, it's everywhere. The whole court smells like grass."

"I don't really like playing in these conditions, I don't need distractions"

Katie Boulter

The British Katie Boulter has been the latest to complain, in this edition, about the smell of marijuana present in the tennis venue. "I don't really like playing in these conditions," declared the world number 60. "I've smelled that smell before during a game. It's something I wouldn't want to smell. I try to concentrate and obviously it takes me out of my bubble. We could do without it; we don't need distractions."

A park, a focus of conflict

It should be remembered that in 2021, cannabis consumption was legalized in the country for those over 21 years of age. The US Open, in the Queen's neighborhood, is next to Corona Park, a common marijuana consumption area for many young people and homeless people.