Casper Ruud is the 12th-ranked ATP tennis player. He’s a world-class athlete who has played in tournaments across the world from small events to Grand Slams.
His biggest weakness? The scent of weed.
That’s what Ruud said in a recent interview when he revealed what his least favorite part of playing in New York is.
“For me, this is the worst thing about New York. The smell is everywhere, even here on the courts. We have to accept it, but it’s not my favorite smell,” Ruud said of the marijuana odor.
“It’s quite annoying to be playing, tired, and just meters away, someone is smoking marijuana. We can’t do anything about it unless the law is reversed, but I have strong doubts that will happen,” he added.
Ruud paints a funny picture with the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium lighting up marijuana just feet away from tennis stars dueling at the highest level. New York legalized weed in 2021 so it’s not a new feature in public places like the U.S. Open.
It didn’t stop the Norwegian from a dominant, three-set victory over Sebastian Ofner in the first round of the tournament.
Make that 15 straight opening-round wins on the Grand Slam stage!
Casper Ruud downs Ofner in three sets in just under two hours. pic.twitter.com/nFsxWDCCB1
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2025
It’s an interesting complaint to have in open stadiums but Rudd could certainly be shut in with the smell if the roof is closed or be forced to take a passing whiff.
Ruud sounds like he’d be in favor of criminalizing marijuana again but it’s less likely that it happens than the tournament organizers crack down on security at the gates.
Either way, fans of his opponents now know the easiest way to get into his head.
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