Sabalenka pauses US Open match over cannabis odour
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka invoked umpire intervention after a strong smell of cannabis disrupted play at Flushing Meadows, highlighting ongoing tensions between local laws and tournament protocols.
Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time defending champion, briefly suspended her third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open due to a pervasive smell of cannabis. The incident occurred after Sabalenka had established a 3-0 lead in the first set, prompting her to request that umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore address the source of the odour.
Sabalenka told the umpire that "someone is smoking weed" and asked for intervention "because it's so strong." In response, Asderaki-Moore communicated with an official via radio and made a smoking gesture towards an area behind her before play resumed. The Belarusian later noted that she was uncertain whether the smell originated from the crowd or drifted in from outside due to wind patterns.
The disruption highlights a recurring governance issue at the tournament venue. While smoking is prohibited on site at Flushing Meadows, recreational cannabis use is legal for adults aged 21 and over in New York. Consequently, the odour frequently wafts onto the courts from the nearby Corona Park. Sabalenka urged fans to be more mindful of the impact on competitors, describing the situation as tricky when trying to perform at one's best.
Despite the interruption, Sabalenka maintained her composure to secure a 6-3 6-4 victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium. She served 10 aces to Rakhimova's two and did not face a single break point throughout the match. The win extends her unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows to 16 consecutive matches as she chases a fifth Grand Slam singles title.
Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams to complete a hat-trick of US Open singles titles. She will face Taylor Townsend in the fourth round, with the American having defeated Diana Shnaider to advance. The match result underscores Sabalenka's continued dominance in New York, even amidst external distractions.
Other players have also reported similar issues this year, including Britain's Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, and Francesca Jones. In previous years, prominent figures such as Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have also complained about the smell, suggesting a systemic challenge for tournament organisers in managing the interface between local lifestyle and sporting regulation.
