World number one Aryna Sabalenka experienced an unusual interruption during her US Open third-round clash against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, pausing play to alert the umpire to a potent smell of cannabis wafting onto the Louis Armstrong Stadium court.
Sabalenka, who had taken a commanding 3-0 lead in the opening set, addressed the issue during her second service game on Friday. She pointed out the odor to chief umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore while serving at 30-0, requesting that the disturbance be mitigated before play resumed. Sabalenka ultimately secured a straight-sets victory.
Following the match, the Belarusian star clarified her position, emphasizing that she was not judging others but simply asked for the smoking to remain away from the playing area.
“I was like, Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please to not do it around the tennis courts,” Sabalenka said with a smile. “It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best.”
The presence of cannabis smoke has become a recurring, albeit unwelcome, issue at Flushing Meadows. While recreational use is legal for adults in New York State, smoking is prohibited inside the tennis complex. However, because the venue is adjacent to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, wind can carry smoke from outside into the stadium.
Sabalenka noted that while she had detected the scent earlier in the tournament, Friday’s conditions were particularly intense. “That strong, yeah. Also, because it was a bit windy,” she explained. “I don’t know if it was coming from the crowd or was from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium.”
She concluded by urging greater consideration from those smoking near the grounds. “I just hope they are a bit more aware of that stuff,” Sabalenka said, laughing off further questions about the incident. “I think there is nothing else to say about weed. I’m just asking people not to smoke it next to the tennis court.”
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