Attendees at the US Open have voiced strong complaints regarding unpleasant odors, described as "sewage" and "human waste," at the Arthur Ashe Stadium during recent matches. Social media posts and attendee accounts detailed experiences over the Labor Day weekend where the pervasive smell allegedly impacted the tournament.
One widely shared video on TikTok, originating from a user identified as @BaylorCarrots, highlighted the issue, showing spectators holding their noses. The video caption alleged that the Facilities Team and Guest Services were aware of the odor but continued to allow attendees into the affected section, identified as Section 310.
"We paid to attend the US Open and should not have to sit for hours in an area that smells like human waste. How is this acceptable?" the social media post questioned. The user indicated that after complaining, they were moved to a different section for the final minutes of a match.
Other attendees corroborated these claims, with one user stating they experienced the smell during "FAN WEEK" and reported it, noting that tickets for the upper levels were priced at over $800. Another attendee, Oliver Viel, shared his dissatisfaction on TikTok, describing the odor as "insanely bad" and speculating it was due to "poor ventilation from the overused bathrooms."
The New York Post reported that US Open representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Commenters on social media suggested seeking a full refund.
This situation follows a separate incident during the tournament where professional tennis player Aryna Sabalenka paused a match due to the smell of marijuana. Sabalenka requested that spectators refrain from smoking near the courts, citing the difficulty of managing the smell while competing.