2 hrs ago
Cannabis Smell Briefly Halts Sabalenka’s US Open Match
Aryna Sabalenka was playing a tennis match at the US Open.
During the match, she smelled strong cannabis smoke.
She stopped briefly and told the umpire about it.
Her opponent was Kamilla Rakhimova.
Sabalenka was already ahead 3-0 when this happened.
The match continued after the complaint.
Smoking is not allowed inside the US Open grounds.
Smoke from nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park can sometimes drift toward the courts.
Recreational cannabis use is legal for adults over 21 in New York.
Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped her US Open third-round match after smelling cannabis on court.
Sabalenka alerted umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore while serving against Kamilla Rakhimova.
The world number one said the smell was particularly strong and appeared to come from outside the stadium.
Play resumed after the interruption as Sabalenka led Rakhimova 3-0.
Cannabis smoke has previously affected players at Flushing Meadows, where recreational use is legal in New York but smoking is prohibited inside the grounds.
- Who
- Aryna Sabalenka, Kamilla Rakhimova, and umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.
- What
- A strong cannabis smell briefly interrupted Sabalenka’s US Open third-round tennis match.
- Where
- Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open in New York.
- When
- Friday, during Sabalenka’s second service game.
- Why
- Cannabis smoke apparently drifted onto the court from the surrounding area, creating a strong odor.
Key facts
- Event
- US Open third-round match
- Players
- Aryna Sabalenka vs. Kamilla Rakhimova
- Interruption
- A strong cannabis smell was detected on court
- Score at interruption
- Sabalenka led 3-0 and was serving 30-0
- Umpire
- Eva Asderaki-Moore
- Venue
- Louis Armstrong Stadium, New York
- Smoking rules
- Smoking is prohibited inside the grounds, while recreational cannabis use is legal for adults over 21 in New York
Quotes
Aryna Sabalenka
Belarusian tennis player and US Open top seed
“Someone is smoking weed. Would you mind to ... because it's so strong.”
rediff.com
Sources
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