US Open - The loudest and smelliest of the four Grand Slams
US Open là Grand Slam ồn ào và có nhiều mùi nhất do nằm gần sân bay LaGuardia, không khí lễ hội đường phố New York, và sự hợp pháp hóa cần sa tại bang New York. Điều này tạo ra môi trường thi đấu độc đáo, vừa thử thách vừa hấp dẫn. Key facts: - Tiếng ồn máy bay lấn át âm thanh vợt chạm bóng, ảnh hưởng đến cảm giác đánh bóng của tay vợt. - Mùi burger, khoai tây chiên và cần sa lan tỏa khắp khuôn viên giải. - Các tay vợt như Arthur Fery dùng nút tai để đối phó, nhưng làm giảm âm thanh phản hồi. - Alex de Minaur chọn nơi ở yên tĩnh hơn để thích nghi. Source: BBC, bài "Is the US Open the loudest -- and smelliest -- of the majors?" (2024). Related Q&A: - Hỏi: US Open có ồn hơn Wimbledon không? Đáp: Có, do máy bay và đám đông cuồng nhiệt, Wimbledon yên tĩnh và truyền thống hơn. - Hỏi: Mùi cần sa có ảnh hưởng đến vận động viên không? Đáp: Một số tay vợt phàn nàn, nhưng chưa có khiếu nại chính thức; USTA có thể xem xét quy định.
When Pat Cash first stepped onto the main court of the US Open in 2026, he faced not only John McEnroe but also a completely different atmosphere. "The smell of burgers, the roar of planes, and the screaming crowd like a street party," recalled the Australian former Wimbledon champion. More than four decades later, the US Open still holds the title of "loudest Grand Slam," and now adds another characteristic: the pervasive smell of weed.
A recent BBC analysis portrayed the US Open as a tournament unlike any other. If Wimbledon is elegance, Roland Garros romance, and the Australian Open the "Happy Slam," then the US Open is the wild child of tennis - loud, chaotic, and full of scents.
The sound of New York
Located directly under the flight path of LaGuardia Airport, Flushing Meadows is frequently interrupted by plane noise. According to experts, this noise not only annoys but directly affects players' technique. The sound of racket hitting ball is a crucial signal for feeling power, spin, and trajectory. When plane noise overwhelms it, shot adjustment reflexes degrade.
Former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber, who won the 2026 US Open, admitted: "The noise is the hardest thing to get used to." Her first match that year was a night session against Serena Williams - the atmosphere like a rock concert. Kerber overcame it and won the title, but not everyone can adapt.
Arthur Fery, a young British talent who reached the Wimbledon semifinals, carries earplugs in his bag. He uses them when feeling "frustrated or irritated." However, earplugs are a double-edged sword: they block noise but also reduce the auditory feedback from the racket, making ball control harder. It's a trade-off every player must consider.
Distinctive aromas: from burgers to weed
Walking through the stadium concourses, fans cannot miss the smell of burgers, fries, and hot dogs - an integral part of American sports culture. But in recent years, another smell has emerged: weed. Since New York legalized cannabis in 2026, the characteristic white smoke has crept into the stands.
Ben Shelton, the young American who reached the 2026 US Open semifinals, enthused: "This is the greatest tournament in the world." He loves the energy, the DJ music during changeovers, and even the street scents. But not everyone agrees. Some players complain about the weed smell, saying it's distracting and unpleasant. The USTA has yet to implement specific regulations, as cannabis is legal in New York State.
Adaptation and strategies
Alex de Minaur, currently in the world top 10, takes a pragmatic approach. He chose a quieter accommodation for this year's US Open, changing his location for the first time to escape Manhattan's hustle. "I need balance," de Minaur said. "You can enjoy the tournament's energy, but you also need to know when to step away."
The differences in how each player copes with the US Open environment reflect their personalities and playing styles. Shelton feeds on crowd energy; de Minaur manages it systematically; Fery uses tools. There's no right or wrong, only effectiveness.
Contrarian view: Is chaos a weakness?
Many argue the US Open lacks the dignity expected of a Grand Slam. But that very chaos creates its identity. History shows the US Open has always been a pioneer: from the highest prize money, night sessions, to Super Saturday (both men's semifinals and the women's final on the same day). Though Super Saturday was abolished due to player welfare concerns, the spirit of innovation remains.
New York's mayor once intervened to alter flight paths to reduce noise for the tournament - a testament to the US Open's economic and political power. No other Grand Slam has that.
Impact on tactics and fitness
Noise not only affects ball feel but also disrupts playing rhythm. Players with fixed pre-serve routines are easily distracted when planes pass overhead. In tense games, every second of focus is precious. The appearance of DJs and TV cameras during changeovers turns the 90-second recovery period into a mini-party, making it harder to lower heart rate optimally.
Angelique Kerber once said that getting used to the noise was her biggest challenge when she first played the US Open. Even after winning, she admitted it took years to adapt. This suggests the environment can favor players who are "noise-immune" or those with extensive experience at Flushing Meadows.
Conclusion: An unmistakable identity
The US Open may not be the most comfortable tournament, but it is the most authentic. It reflects America: loud, diverse, sometimes chaotic, but always full of energy. For players, conquering the US Open is not just about beating opponents but also overcoming the environment.
As one observer once said: "I stayed silent for three seasons, then the data spoke for itself." For the US Open, the data speaks clearly: this is the most different Grand Slam, and that very difference is its appeal.