Casper Ruud hits out at US Open over 'annoying' problem that's divided fans

World number 13 Casper Ruud has revealed his least favourite aspect of playing at the US Open.

On Monday evening in New York, former finalist Ruud kicked off his quest to win the US Open by easily brushing aside Austrian Sebastian Ofner.

Ruud, 26, was a class above his opponent as he recorded a 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) straight sets victory.

As a result, the Norwegian will take on Belgian Raphael Collignon in the second round.

Having reached the final of the US Open back in 2022, where he was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz, Ruud is looking to finally get his hands on a maiden Grand Slam title.

However, the number 12 seed has recently revealed that the most annoying thing about playing at the US Open is the apparent smell of marijuana.

Although the US Open has prohibited smoking at the Billie Jean National Tennis Centre, New York State passed a law to legalise recreational use back in 2021.

Ruud said, as per NY Post: "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.

"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."

Reacting to Ruud's comments on social media, one fan said: "Strongly agree it’s so foul especially in the summer and it’s absolutely everywhere."

Another tweeted: "I sympathize.. it’s a very annoying smell."

A third fan added: "Disgusting. I agree."

However, someone else said: "I’ve been to matches there and there is in fact a no smoking rule around the tennis courts."

A fifth commented: "I’m sorry have sat courtside for past 15 years and I have never smelled a cigarette or marijuana."

Another fan said: "This is quite the exaggeration."

Back in 2023, Greek player Maria Sakkari also complained about the smell of marijuana at Flushing Meadows.

She said at the time: "Sometimes it smells food, sometimes it smells cigarettes, sometimes it smells weed.

"It’s something that we cannot control because we’re in an open space. There’s a park behind, people can do whatever they want. It’s nothing that we can control."