Marijuana smells and rowdy fans: Why Arthur Ashe Stadium and the US Open are so unique and sometimes divisive

Less than two months ago, the tennis world had descended onto Wimbledon’s pristine green courts, where the sound of tennis balls echoed around hushed courts.

Spectators, on the whole, observed an almost librarian state of quiet, watching the players, dressed all in white, battle it out in one of sport’s most beautiful surroundings.

Fast forward to this week and the same players are now fighting for another title at the US Open. The atmosphere, though, is altogether different.

While Wimbledon – and most other tennis tournaments – require near total silence on court, the reality at Flushing Meadows is something slightly more boisterous.

Instead of hushed tones, loud music blares out from speakers between points, supporters are anything but quiet and there is said to be a sense of chaos in the air.

With the latter serving for the match, a cameraman mistakenly walked onto the court which slightly delayed Bonzi’s second serve. As a result, chair umpire Greg Allensworth put the Frenchman back onto his first serve, sparking an astonishing outburst from Medvedev who whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

The first-round match was then delayed by around six minutes with the crowd screaming and shouting every time Bonzo went to serve. The whistles and shouts continued to ring out, with Bonzo then being continuously booed after play resumed.

“It was so noisy, I never thought to wait so long before a point and between points,” Bonzo said after eventually winning the match.

American star Frances Tiafoe is someone who is a supporter of a bit more drama in matches, preferring to stretch the limits of what has long been called a “gentleman’s sport.”

He’s previously spoken about embracing the chaos at the US Open and thought the pantomime-like participation in the Medvedev match was “funny as hell.”

American all–action star Ben Shelton is another who thrives in a more partisan environment.

“I guess I find peace in the chaos,” the 2023 US Open semifinalist told reporters prior to this year’s tournament.

“I feel more uncomfortable at the quiet tournaments where there is not much going on, not as many fans, or the ground isn’t packed with people, or there is not a stigma of excitement around the tournament.

“For me, that’s what I live for, playing these tournaments … There are other tournaments that are sick, they’re cool, but for me just can’t compare, because that energy is not there when you’re driving from the city to the site or, you know, getting ready to walk out on Arthur Ashe.