Aryna Sabalenka Pauses US Open Match Over Marijuana Smell

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka temporarily paused her third-round match at the US Open on Friday after being distracted by a strong odor of marijuana drifting onto the court. The two-time defending champion went on to secure a victory against Kamilla Rakhimova, but asked spectators and organizers to prevent smoking near the playing area.

Disruption During Serve

The incident occurred during the third game of the match at Louis Armstrong Stadium. While preparing to serve, Sabalenka tossed the ball into the air twice but let it drop each time without striking it. Clearly bothered by the scent, she walked over to chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore and informed her that “someone’s smoking weed.”

Speaking after the match, Sabalenka noted that she had never experienced such a strong smell while serving. While acknowledging that fans are free to relax, she stated that handling the pungent odor makes competing at a top level difficult. She expressed hope that people would become more aware of the issue moving forward.

Tournament Rules and Enforcement

Following the complaint, security personnel searched for the source of the smell. Tournament officials stated that no spectators were found smoking inside the venue, and no individuals were ejected from the facility.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center operates as a non-smoking facility. USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre confirmed in a statement that security and guest services staff actively enforce the rules whenever smoking is reported. McIntyre highlighted that while recreational marijuana is legal in New York State, smoking is banned across all city park property, including the tennis complex. He added that tournament organizers cannot control activities taking place off the official grounds.

A Recurring Concern in New York

Marijuana odors have affected matches at Flushing Meadows in previous years. A public park located directly behind the tournament venue is frequently regarded as the likely source of windblown smoke entering the stadiums. Other professional players, including Nick Kyrgios and Maria Sakkari, have previously complained about marijuana smells during their US Open matches.

Despite her initial frustration, Sabalenka took a lighter tone during her post-match press conference, joking about whether spectators were attempting to slow down the pace of play. “I don’t know the effect from it,” she said.

Background

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York is situated adjacent to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. While New York legalized recreational cannabis in 2021, smoking of any kind is prohibited inside city parks and at the tennis facility. Environmental distractions, including urban noise and drifting scents, have long presented unique conditions for competitors at the final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season.