Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Cannabis Smell Briefly Interrupts Sabalenka’s US Open Match
Aryna Sabalenka was playing a tennis match at the US Open.
She was ahead of Kamilla Rakhimova when she smelled strong cannabis smoke.
Sabalenka paused the match and told the umpire about it.
The smell may have come from the crowd or from a nearby park.
Wind might have carried it into Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Sabalenka said people should not smoke close to tennis courts.
Jessica Pegula also said distractions should not interfere with tennis.
Sabalenka then continued playing and won the match 6-3, 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped her US Open third-round match after detecting a strong cannabis smell.
She alerted umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore while leading Kamilla Rakhimova 3-0 and serving at 30-0.
Sabalenka said the odor might have come from spectators or nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
She asked people not to smoke near tennis courts, while noting they could otherwise relax as they wished.
Sabalenka won 6-3, 6-4, and Jessica Pegula said outside factors should not disrupt matches.
- Who
- Aryna Sabalenka, Kamilla Rakhimova, umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, and Jessica Pegula.
- What
- A strong cannabis smell briefly interrupted Sabalenka’s US Open third-round match.
- When
- Friday, during Sabalenka’s second service game.
- Where
- Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open in New York.
- Why
- The odor drifted onto the court; Sabalenka said it may have come from the crowd or outside the stadium and been carried by wind.
Players’ concerns
Legal and source context
Smoking near tennis courts
Players’ concerns
Sabalenka and Pegula said smoking and other outside factors can distract players and should not interfere with matches.
Legal and source context
Recreational cannabis is legal for adults over 21 in New York, although smoking is not permitted inside the US Open grounds.
Where the smell came from
Players’ concerns
Sabalenka said the odor was difficult to handle while competing and asked people not to smoke next to the courts.
Legal and source context
The source was not confirmed; Sabalenka said it could have come from spectators or nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, with wind carrying it into the stadium.
Public reaction
Players’ concerns
Many social media users backed Sabalenka and described the incident as inappropriate or embarrassing at a major sporting event.
Legal and source context
Other users treated the interruption humorously, including jokes about tennis being played on grass.
- Match
- US Open third-round women’s singles match
- Players
- Aryna Sabalenka vs. Kamilla Rakhimova
- Score at interruption
- Sabalenka led 3-0 and was serving at 30-0
- Final score
- Sabalenka won 6-3, 6-4
- Umpire
- Eva Asderaki-Moore
- Venue
- Louis Armstrong Stadium, New York
- Smoking context
- Smoking is not permitted inside the grounds, while recreational cannabis is legal for adults over 21 in New York
- Related comments
- Jessica Pegula said outside factors should not interfere with a tennis match; social media users largely supported or joked about Sabalenka’s complaint
