Tennis Victory Under the Influence of Marijuana: Game, Set, and Matches Won High
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The U.S. Open tennis championship, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, has long been a hub of glamour and excitement, attracting a well-heeled audience of celebrities and professionals since it was brought to the city in 1915. However, this year, the event has been marred by an unexpected issue: the pervasive smell of marijuana.
Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, and Maria Sakkari are among the players who have voiced their concerns about the odor, which they attribute to the adjacent Corona Park where cannabis is consumed, despite no official smoking allowed inside the venue.
The legalization of marijuana for recreational use in New York City in 2021 has raised questions about the responsibility of users towards others who share public air. Since the legalization, marijuana smoking has become more prevalent in public areas, including the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Emmett Hare, a political consultant based in Brooklyn, comments on the issue, stating, "Users often smoke marijuana in public without considering the impact on others."
Staff at the Tennis Center have reported smelling marijuana smoke, but are unsure of how to handle it. Spectators, however, are generally well-behaved and respond to verbal rebukes from umpires or announcements over the intercom.
The normalization of public marijuana consumption has led to its presence in various settings, including suburban areas and leafy bedroom communities. This has come as a surprise to many, considering the modern viewer finds it hard to believe that cigarette smoking was once allowed in public spaces like Madison Square Garden or the Village Vanguard.
Interestingly, while alcohol is served at the Tennis Center, smoking and vaping are barred. This raises the question of why marijuana, a substance that can have a strong and lingering odor, is allowed in public spaces where it can affect others.
Former mayor David Dinkins, who was a USTA board member, took steps to avoid disrupting the matches at La Guardia Airport. His actions serve as a reminder that considerate public behavior is crucial in maintaining the enjoyment of events for all attendees.
Pot smokers often react with indignation to suggestions that they should smoke in private. However, the escalating debate about public marijuana smoke at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center underscores the need for responsible use in shared spaces.
As the U.S. Open tennis championship continues, it remains to be seen how this issue will be addressed. For now, the lingering odor of marijuana serves as a reminder of the changing landscape of public behavior in New York City.
