Georgia Tech alumna and U.S. wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee is scheduled to begin her 2026 US Open main-draw campaign on Sunday, according to tournament schedules. The match places Lee — often referred to as Carol Lee in U.S. college reporting — into the opening-round spotlight at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, a venue where several players this year have reported being distracted by the smell of cannabis drifting in from nearby Corona Park.
- Carol Young Suh Lee, a USTA wildcard and Georgia Tech alumna, is scheduled to play in the US Open main draw Sunday.
- Several players, including Britain’s Katie Boulter, reported smelling cannabis near some outside courts at Flushing Meadows.
- The USTA said it remains "vigilant" but noted it cannot control activity off tournament grounds.
- Available reporting links the odor to nearby Corona Park but does not independently confirm exact sources or frequency of incidents.
- Fans can report disruptive behavior to tournament staff; park authorities and law enforcement oversee public spaces off USTA property.
What’s happening on Sunday
Carol Young Suh Lee, who entered the main draw as a United States Tennis Association wildcard, is set to play her opening match on the tournament’s first Sunday of main-draw play. Multiple outlets covering the event list Lee as the U.S. wildcard opponent for Britain’s Katie Boulter in first-round scheduling notes; other reporting confirms Lee’s inclusion among U.S.-based entrants.
Player complaints about cannabis odor
As the tournament gets underway, several players have publicly said cannabis scent has been noticeable around some outside courts. Britain’s No. 1 Katie Boulter told reporters she could smell cannabis “a lot” during practice sessions and described it as a distraction. Other British players — including Fran Jones and Harriet Dart — have also commented on encountering the odor during their time at the venue, and one player noted the issue has been raised in prior years as well.
The USTA responded to questions about the odor by saying the organization remains “vigilant” and that it cannot control activity that takes place off the grounds of the National Tennis Center. That statement was provided to media covering the tournament.
Context and local factors
New York City legalized adult recreational cannabis for those 21 and older; tournament coverage has linked the smell players describe to activity in Corona Park, which borders the USTA facility. Players and reporters have compared this season’s reports to complaints voiced in previous years by touring professionals, noting that courtside smoke and scents have been a recurring source of concern at Grand Slam events held outdoors or adjacent to public parks.
Why this matters for Lee and other U.S.-based players
For Carol Young Suh Lee, who entered the event through a USTA wildcard and carries the U.S. affiliation that brings local attention, opening-round match conditions are important for performance and spectator experience. Distractions that players identify — whether crowd noise, weather or odor — can affect focus during tight matches, according to the players who spoke about them.
Timeline of related reporting
- In the lead-up to the main draw, reporters covering the US Open documented comments from Katie Boulter that she could smell cannabis “a lot” during practice sessions at Flushing Meadows.
- Other players, including Fran Jones and Harriet Dart, described encountering similar odors on or near certain courts.
- The USTA issued a statement saying it remains “vigilant” while noting it cannot control activity off USTA property.
- Carol Young Suh Lee appears on the main-draw schedule as a USTA wildcard and is slated to begin play Sunday.
What’s unresolved
Reporting to date identifies the smell as cannabis and links it to activity in and around Corona Park, but there is no independent confirmation in the available reporting that pinpoints precise sources or the frequency and exact locations of incidents during tournament play. The USTA’s statement confirms its monitoring posture but does not outline specific operational steps it has taken this week beyond general vigilance.
Practical implications for fans and local authorities
Fans attending the US Open should be aware that, per media reporting, some players have experienced distracting odors near outside courts. The USTA’s ability to manage activity off its grounds is limited; spectators who notice disruptive behavior can report it to tournament staff on site. Local law enforcement and park authorities oversee public spaces adjacent to the National Tennis Center and would be the entities responsible for enforcing city regulations in Corona Park.
What to watch next
- Results from Lee’s opening match on Sunday and whether the reported odor is mentioned in postmatch comments.
- Any follow-up statements from the USTA with operational details about monitoring or mitigation efforts.
- Additional player reports that could clarify how widespread or concentrated the issue is during the tournament’s early rounds.
“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,” the USTA said in a statement to media.
Carol Young Suh Lee’s first-round appearance puts a Georgia Tech-connected player in the US Open spotlight on Sunday while tournament organizers juggle routine onsite operations with concerns raised by competitors about offsite activity. Further reporting from courtside and official statements will determine whether those concerns prompt new measures during the tournament.
