Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Aryna Sabalenka Pauses US Open Match Over Strong Weed Smell
Aryna Sabalenka was playing a tennis match at the 2026 US Open.
She noticed a very strong smell of cannabis coming from the stands.
This happened early in the first set, while she was preparing to serve.
Sabalenka first talked with her team.
Then she told umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore that someone was smoking weed.
She asked officials to deal with the smell because it made playing difficult.
The match was interrupted only briefly.
Sabalenka stayed focused and won the match in two sets.
Aryna Sabalenka reported a strong cannabis smell during her third-round match at the 2026 US Open.
The incident occurred in the third game of the first set, during Sabalenka’s second service game.
After winning the first two points, Sabalenka spoke with her team before approaching chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.
Sabalenka told the umpire, “Someone is smoking weed,” and asked officials to address the issue.
The interruption was brief, and Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round.
- Who
- Aryna Sabalenka, Kamilla Rakhimova, and chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.
- What
- Sabalenka reported a strong cannabis smell from the stands and asked officials to address it during her match.
- When
- During the third game of the first set in a third-round match at the 2026 US Open.
- Where
- Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open in Flushing Meadows.
- Why
- Sabalenka said the smell was particularly strong and could make it difficult for players to compete.
- Event
- 2026 US Open third-round match
- Players
- Aryna Sabalenka vs. Kamilla Rakhimova
- Incident
- Strong cannabis smell reportedly came from the stands
- Timing
- Third game of the first set, during Sabalenka’s second service game
- Umpire
- Eva Asderaki-Moore
- Result
- Sabalenka won 6-3, 6-4
- Outcome
- Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round
