Daily News 19

Tag: US Open

  • Katie Boulter Says Cannabis Smell at US Open Is Distracting

    Katie Boulter Says Cannabis Smell at US Open Is Distracting

    The smell of cannabis has become a recurring issue at the US Open, with players repeatedly raising concerns about smoking near the tournament grounds.

    In 2022, Australian Open doubles champion Nick Kyrgios complained that a fan smoking courtside was triggering his asthma, prompting the umpire to ask spectators to refrain. Greece’s Maria Sakkari also pointed out the smell to an umpire midway through a set in 2023, although she later clarified that it was not an excuse for her defeat.

    The United States Tennis Association, which organises the US Open, said it is working with local police and the parks department to reduce smoking around the boundary of the site.

    It said: “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.”

    Britain’s Fran Jones and Harriet Dart, who both qualified on Friday, have also noticed the smell.

    “Last year I made a joke about that, in my first round, and I said to the guy, ‘is this normal?’” said Jones, whose tournament begins against Poland’s Magda Linette on Monday.

    “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.’”

    “This year I’ll be like ‘no, lock in, lock in!’”

    After beating British compatriot Heather Watson in qualifying to set up a first-round match against the United States’ Peyton Stearns, Dart said: “I mean it’s New York. It’s New York. “

    “I feel like everywhere you walk around, it’s everywhere, no?”

    “It is what it is. Same for everyone.”

  • Winston-Salem Open: Arthur Fery Reaches First ATP Tour Final After James Duckworth Retires

    Winston-Salem Open: Arthur Fery Reaches First ATP Tour Final After James Duckworth Retires

    Arthur Fery reached his first ATP Tour final after James Duckworth retired with an injury during their Winston-Salem Open semi-final.

    The 24-year-old Briton was leading 6-4 2-1 when Australian opponent Duckworth, who had taken a medical timeout after the opening set, was forced to forfeit the match.

    Fery is the first British player to reach the final of the ATP 250 tournament. His breakthrough run in North Carolina continues an impressive rise that began with his surprise appearance in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

    He has since climbed to a career-high world ranking of 33, overtaking Cameron Norrie to become British number one.

    “I am really happy to be in the final,” said Fery.

    “Not the way I wanted it to end at all. I hope James will get well soon and rest up for next week. But I am very happy to be through.”

    Fery will face Ignacio Buse in Saturday’s final in North Carolina after the 22-year-old Peruvian defeated France’s Benjamin Bonzi 6-2 4-6 6-1.

    Buse, ranked 36th in the world, is seeking his second title of the season after defeating Tommy Paul at the ATP 500 tournament in Hamburg in May.

    Fery’s rapid rise continues before US Open

    Just eight weeks ago, before his remarkable run to the Wimbledon semi-finals, Fery was ranked outside the world’s top 100.

    His first ATP final appearance against Buse comes ahead of next month’s US Open, where he narrowly missed out on a seeding.

    Fery has been drawn to play Italian 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the opening round at Flushing Meadows in New York.

  • Coco Gauff Supports Mother for Rejecting US Open Ticket Requests

    Coco Gauff Supports Mother for Rejecting US Open Ticket Requests

    Coco Gauff backs her mother’s message about US Open ticket requests

    Coco Gauff said she supports her mother’s decision to address excessive US Open ticket requests from family members and friends, even though the tennis star was surprised to see the message on social media.

    A day after Candi Gauff posted a “blunt but necessary statement” on Instagram saying her daughter’s tickets for the Grand Slam tournament were already allocated, Coco defended the post.

    “Honestly, it was needed, and it was directed towards a few family and friends,” Gauff said Friday. “People come out of the woodwork. You haven’t spoken to someone for years. They don’t say, ‘Congrats’ or, ‘Happy birthday’ or nothing. Then they’re like, ‘Oh, I’m in New York, can I have eight tickets to your match in your box, please?”

    Gauff had recently won the Cincinnati Open and initially believed her mother’s post, which included a photo of her holding the trophy, was a celebratory message about the victory. Instead, Candi Gauff used the post to set boundaries over US Open ticket requests.

    “Unfortunately, I will not be able to hook you up with a ticket,” she wrote. “Please make arrangements to purchase a ticket. Side note, never ask for more than 2 tickets. Coco is grown now and she has her own friends that she is honoring [with] tickets for the match. Thank you for your continued support.”

    Why Coco Gauff’s US Open matches are in high demand

    Coco Gauff won the US Open in 2023, is ranked fourth in the world and is seeded fourth in this year’s women’s singles draw. As the most prominent American player at the tournament, she is a regular presence at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where her matches quickly become some of the most sought-after tickets.

    Gauff’s parents and other members of her team handle most of the ticket messages, helping shield her from another unwanted distraction.

    “We try our best to accommodate everyone, but some of the requests, you would be surprised at how absurd they are,” Gauff said. “I feel like my mom hit a tipping point because it’s been going on since 15, and they really are my safeguards and I am lucky they try to make sure no one is hitting up my phone, so I don’t really get many requests.”

    Rather than continue dealing with requests from distant relatives or friends from elementary school, Gauff said her mother made the public statement to explain why she would no longer respond.

    Gauff said her mom “wanted to post that because she is going to stop responding. At least they know why.”

  • Williams and Alcaraz Team Up at the US Open

    Williams and Alcaraz Team Up at the US Open

    Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz were defeated by Flavio Coboilli and Belinda Bencic in a mixed doubles match at the US Open, losing 5-4 (7-4), 4-1.