Aryna Sabalenka navigated a distinct disruption during her third-round match at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, halting play to address a heavy smell of marijuana drifting across the court. According to match reports and player accounts, the world number one from Belarus paused during the opening set of her encounter against Kamilla Rakhimova to call the chair umpire’s attention to the potent odor.
Sabalenka Halts Play Over Cannabis Odor at Flushing Meadows
The incident occurred early in the match at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, when Sabalenka stopped her service motion with the score at 2:0 in the first set. She walked directly to the chair umpire to voice her frustration over the strong scent affecting the playing environment. “Someone’s smoking weed. Are you going to do something about it? Because it’s so strong,” Sabalenka said on the court, as detailed in reports from the tournament.
Despite the unusual interruption, the defending champion maintained her composure. Speaking in her post-match press conference, the world number one emphasized that players should be able to compete without environmental distractions. “I was just like, guys, you can do whatever you want, you can smoke whatever you want, you can relax as much as you want, but just not around the tennis courts,” Sabalenka stated, noting that dealing with the heavy smell while trying to perform at an elite level presents a distinct challenge.
A Recurring Environmental Complaint at the US Open
The presence of cannabis smoke is not a new obstacle for athletes competing at the final Grand Slam tournament of the season. Cannabis possession and use for recreational purposes has been legal in the state of New York since 2021, with retail sales opening in late 2022. Since then, players have frequently reported the unmistakable odor around the grounds.
German player Alexander Zverev previously highlighted the issue following a match at Flushing Meadows, famously remarking that Court 17 smelled intensely of marijuana, comparing the aroma to Snoop Dogg’s living room. Similarly, Casper Ruud expressed frustration during a previous tournament run, noting the distraction of spectators smoking nearby while players contend with physical fatigue.
Health and Safety Concerns for Competitors
Beyond standard athletic distractions, the ambient smoke has triggered health complications for certain athletes. German competitor Tamara Korpatsch reported severe breathing difficulties due to her asthma when encountering the cannabis fumes, particularly around the training courts located near an adjacent public park.
With recreational use firmly established across New York, tournament organizers and players continue to grapple with the proximity of public consumption areas to the active tournament perimeter. Sabalenka expressed hope that spectators and individuals near the venue would show greater awareness regarding where they consume cannabis as the tournament progresses.
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