From Baseline Battle to Courtside Mystery: Sabalenka Pauses Play Over Weed Odour

NEW YORK — World No. 1 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka experienced an unusual interruption during her third-round match at the US Open on Friday, halting play to alert the chair umpire to a strong smell of cannabis drifting across Louis Armstrong Stadium. Competing against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova, the top-seeded Belarusian player stopped during her second service game while leading 3-0 in the opening set. The incident highlights ongoing environmental management challenges at major outdoor tennis venues where public recreational laws intersect with professional sports regulations.

Match Disruption and Umpire Intervention

The unexpected pause occurred as Sabalenka prepared to serve at 30-0. Visibly distracted by the potent odor, she walked toward chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to address the issue directly.

“Someone is smoking weed,” Sabalenka told the umpire, according to match recordings. “Would you mind to... because it's so strong.”

According to tournament officials and court reports, Asderaki-Moore immediately used her radio to contact tournament staff, initiating a check of the surrounding stands. Despite the brief delay, Sabalenka quickly refocused, ultimately securing a 6-3, 6-4 straight-sets victory to advance to the next round. Speaking to reporters after the match, Sabalenka clarified that she respected personal freedoms but emphasized the difficulty of maintaining athletic focus under such conditions.

Regulatory Context and Venue Challenges

The presence of marijuana odors has become a recurring talking point at the US Open, largely due to the venue's geography. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center sits immediately adjacent to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in New York, where recreational cannabis is legally permitted for adults aged 21 and over.

While the tournament grounds maintain a strictly smoke-free policy prohibiting smoking, vaping, and electronic cigarettes inside the facility gates, wind patterns frequently carry ambient smoke from the surrounding public park and nearby seating sections into open-air stadiums like Louis Armstrong Stadium. Several other international tennis players have previously voiced frustration regarding similar olfactory distractions during high-stakes matches at the Flushing Meadows complex.

Official Sources Section

• United States Tennis Association (USTA): Facility guidelines, smoke-free venue policies, and official tournament statements.

• WTA Tour / Match Officials: On-court rulings, chair umpire communications, and match protocols administered by Eva Asderaki-Moore.

• New York City Public Regulations: Legal frameworks governing public cannabis consumption in municipal parks adjacent to sporting complexes.

"Organizers stated that while tournament management maintains strict smoke-free compliance within the facility perimeter, external environmental factors and nearby public spaces remain outside direct control."

Why It Matters

Professional tennis requires supreme concentration, precise timing, and peak physical exertion. Environmental disruptions like ambient odors can compromise an athlete's focus during crucial competitive moments, prompting calls for enhanced perimeter monitoring and better crowd awareness at major international sporting events.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Event Context: US Open third-round match at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.

• Player Involved: World No. 1 singles seed Aryna Sabalenka.

• Match Outcome: Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 despite the brief interruption.

• Underlying Issue: Ambient cannabis odor drifting from surrounding public areas due to local wind conditions.

FAQ Section

Why did Aryna Sabalenka stop her US Open match?

Sabalenka paused briefly during her service game to inform the chair umpire of a strong, distracting odor of cannabis drifting onto the court.

Is smoking permitted inside the US Open venue?

No. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is a strictly smoke-free facility that bans smoking and vaping within its gates.

Where did the cannabis smell come from?

Players and officials noted that wind likely carried the odor into the stadium from the adjacent Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, where adult recreational cannabis use is legal under New York state law.

Did the interruption affect the final match result?

No. Following a brief check by tournament security, Sabalenka regained her focus and won the match in straight sets.

Source: United States Tennis Association (USTA), On-court officiating records, Associated Press match reports.