In an unusual incident during the U.S. Open, Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka paused her third-round match against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova due to a strong smell of marijuana in the stadium. The match took place at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York City on September 4, 2026, where Sabalenka, the tournament's top seed, was competing.
As the match progressed, Sabalenka approached chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to express her concerns about the odor. "Someone is smoking weed, so do you mind … because it’s so strong," she reported, prompting the umpire to mime the action to tournament officials. This moment highlighted the ongoing challenges of maintaining a smoke-free environment at large sporting events, particularly in a city where recreational marijuana use is legal.
Despite the incident, officials conducted an investigation but ultimately did not eject anyone from the venue. U.S. Open spokesperson Brendan McIntyre stated that while the tournament cannot control activities outside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, they are committed to enforcing a smoke-free policy. "We continue to be vigilant as we maintain this facility as a smoke-free environment," McIntyre emphasized.
After securing a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Rakhimova, marking her 16th consecutive win at the U.S. Open, Sabalenka addressed the media about the distraction the smell posed during her match. "It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell and perform at your best," she noted, adding that the wind may have contributed to the odor's presence, possibly coming from the crowd or nearby areas.
New York City has established regulations that prohibit smoking and vaping in public parks, including the grounds of the U.S. Open. Although marijuana use is legal in the state, the USTA has strict rules against smoking on its property. Previous tournaments have seen players report similar experiences with marijuana odors, which officials believe might stem from a nearby park.
In a light-hearted moment following her match, Sabalenka joked about the incident, suggesting that the odor might have been an attempt by spectators to slow down the pace of the game. "Maybe it’s too fast, so they want to slow down a little bit, so who knows," she quipped. When pressed further about the smell, she humorously remarked, "More about the weed? Come on, guys. You were the one who was smoking, maybe?"
As the tournament progresses, Sabalenka remains a formidable competitor, and her ability to navigate distractions like this will be vital as she aims for further success in the U.S. Open.
Leave a Comment