1 hr ago
Aryna Sabalenka Stops US Open Match Over Strong Weed Smell
Aryna Sabalenka was playing a tennis match at the 2026 US Open.
During the third game of the first set, she noticed a strong smell coming from the stands.
She had already won the first two points of her second service game.
The smell distracted her while she was preparing to serve.
Sabalenka spoke briefly with her team.
She then went to the umpire, Eva Asderaki-Moore, to report the problem.
Sabalenka said the smell was very strong.
The match was dramatically paused during the incident.
Aryna Sabalenka paused her US Open 2026 match after noticing a strong weed smell from the stands.
The incident occurred during the third game of the first set.
Sabalenka was preparing to serve in only her second service game.
She first spoke with members of her team in the stands before approaching the umpire.
Sabalenka told umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore that the odor was very strong.
- Who
- Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.
- What
- Sabalenka stopped or paused the match to complain about a strong weed smell from the stands.
- Where
- At the US Open, with the odor reportedly coming from the stands.
- When
- During the third game of the first set at the 2026 US Open.
- Why
- Sabalenka said the smell was very strong and disturbed her while preparing to serve.
Key facts
- Event
- US Open 2026 match
- Player
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Status
- Defending champion
- Set and game
- Third game of the first set
- Service game
- Sabalenka's second service game
- Reported odor
- A strong smell of weed from the stands
- Umpire
- Eva Asderaki-Moore
Sources
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