World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka briefly paused her third-round US Open match on Friday after encountering a strong smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium. Sabalenka, who is the two-time defending champion, had built a fast start against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova when the unusual distraction occurred during her second service game.
Sabalenka Halts US Open Match Over Cannabis Odor
After winning the first two points of the third game while leading 2-0 in the opening set, Sabalenka walked over to consult chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore. Someone is smoking weed, so do you mind … because it’s so strong,
Sabalenka told the umpire, according to The Athletic.
Asderaki-Moore immediately relayed the complaint to tournament officials via her radio while making a hand gesture simulating smoking to alert staff members behind her. Security and guest services personnel moved into the stands to attempt to locate the source of the odor, according to reports by The Times of India. Play resumed shortly afterward, and Sabalenka maintained her composure to secure a straight-sets 6-3, 6-4 victory over Rakhimova to advance to the fourth round in New York.
Recurring Distractions and Tournament Regulations
While recreational cannabis use is legal for adults aged 21 and older in New York, the U.S. Open strictly prohibits smoking, vaping, and electronic smoking devices on site at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The tournament complex sits directly adjacent to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, a public space where smoke from outside the fenceline frequently drifts onto the grounds and surrounding courts.
Sabalenka noted after the match that the windy conditions made it difficult to pinpoint the origin of the smell. I was like, guys, you can do whatever, smoke whatever, relax as much as you can, but don’t do it around a tennis court,
Sabalenka said in her post-match news conference, as reported by The Athletic. It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell and perform at your best.
Brendan MacIntyre, a spokesperson for the United States Tennis Association (USTA), addressed the ongoing issue in a statement, explaining that tournament organizers cannot directly control off-site activities. While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this facility as a smoke free environment,
MacIntyre said. He added that security teams actively inform individuals that smoking is prohibited on park and tennis center property, and that coordination with the NYPD and Parks Department has helped reduce smoking near the facility’s fenceline.
Broader Player Impact at Flushing Meadows
The top-seeded Belarusian is not the only competitor to notice the distinct odor during the tournament. British player Katie Boulter previously described the aroma as distracting, noting that players frequently encounter the smell around practice courts and Court 17. Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones have also observed the smell during matches at Flushing Meadows, following similar complaints from prominent players like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in past years.
Despite the brief delay, the victory marked Sabalenka’s 16th win at Flushing Meadows as she pursues a fifth career Grand Slam singles title and looks to complete a hat-trick of US Open championships. She will face either American Taylor Townsend or Russian 15th seed Diana Shnaider in the next round.
