The US Open is usually about fierce rallies, dramatic tie-breaks, and career-defining moments.
But this year, players like Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper might have to deal with something very different – a wave of sex-crazed bugs swarming the courts.
A Bug Invasion Hits New York
Authorities are bracing for an influx of spotted lanternflies, an invasive pest that has returned to New York after its numbers dipped last year.
These planthoppers, known for feeding on all kinds of plants, have already been spotted in nearly half of the state’s counties this summer.
And with Flushing Meadows – home of the US Open – sitting inside New York’s fourth-largest public park, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Why the Spotted Lanternfly Is a Problem
Late August marks the peak of lanternfly mating season, meaning they’ll be out in force over the next two weeks – right as the tennis tournament unfolds.
The bugs aren’t just a nuisance for players and fans; they also pose a real threat to the environment.
Using their piercing mouthparts, they suck sap from over 70 plant species, including many that are economically valuable.
Experts warn that heavy infestations can leave plants stressed, damaged, and even dead.
Authorities Urge People to Stomp Them Out
Brian Eshenaur, an invasive species expert at Cornell University, had blunt advice for anyone who encounters the pests: “Take a picture first, then stomp on it.”
New York’s Department of Agriculture has also been running awareness campaigns, reminding residents that the best way to control the population is to squash them on sight.
For tennis players, that could mean stomping mid-match if the bugs land courtside..
A Previous Encounter on Court
This wouldn’t be the first time the spotted lanternfly interrupted professional tennis.
Just last month at the Washington Open, a ballboy was caught on camera stamping one out after Maria Sakkari had shooed it away from the court.
With the US Open set to host two weeks of top-level tennis, chances are players will face similar encounters.
British Hopes and Big Names
On the sporting side, British fans will have their eyes on Draper and Raducanu.
Draper impressed last year by reaching the semi-finals, while Raducanu’s unforgettable 2021 triumph as a qualifier remains one of the tournament’s greatest underdog stories.
This year, they’ll join defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka in chasing glory – all while possibly dodging (or stomping) a few unwanted visitors along the way.
