US Open in New York: Too much smoking: Nick Kyrgios complains about marijuana on the tennis court

Nick Kyrgios had to put in a lot of effort in his second-round match at the US Open against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.

US Open in New York: Too much smoking: Nick Kyrgios complains about marijuana on the tennis court

Nick Kyrgios had to put in a lot of effort in his second-round match at the US Open against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. This was not only due to the strong opponents, but also to the circumstances at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York. During the second set, the Australian complained to the referee about the powerful plumes of marijuana wafting through the stadium and asked the referee to warn the crowd to stop smoking.

After the game, Kyrgios explained why he was complaining: he was asthmatic and afraid the fumes would throw him off balance. "People don't know, but I'm a severe asthmatic," he said. "When I run from side to side I have trouble breathing, [the smoke is ed.] probably not something I want to inhale between points."

Kyrgios, who is notorious for his rude behavior on the pitch, was not entirely wrong. The Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second largest at the US Open after the Arthur Ash Stadium, is particularly loud. The conditions for the players are difficult. There is constant movement in the stands, the queues in front of the nearby restaurants and beer stands cause a high level of noise, the spectators drink a lot of beer and smoke joints. This can sometimes disturb the concentration of players on the pitch.

The US Open has a "different vibe" than the other Grand Slams, Kyrgios said. "Wimbledon was so neat, at the Australian Open you expect it as an Aussie. But here it's just loud, all the time. Half the time I can't even hear my team. Flickering, sirens...."

Nevertheless, he won the game 7: 6 (7: 3), 6: 4, 4: 6, 6: 4. After the win, he praised his opponent and admitted he was surprised by their strength: "I was practically hanging on the ropes. His level was incredible, I didn't expect that. I didn't think it would be such a war. With a lot of risk I still managed to win in the fourth set, I'm very happy."

Sources: The Guardian, Spox

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