Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Marijuana Odor Briefly Interrupts Aryna Sabalenka’s US Open Match
Aryna Sabalenka was playing a tennis match at the US Open when she smelled marijuana.
She told the umpire that the smell was very strong.
Officials sent staff into the crowd to look for where it came from.
Sabalenka said people could relax, but smoke should not reach the tennis courts.
She worried the smell could make it harder to focus.
Smoking is not allowed inside the US Open grounds.
Recreational cannabis is legal in New York, and smoke from nearby areas can drift toward the venue.
Sabalenka then continued playing and beat Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka paused her third-round match after reporting a strong marijuana smell from the stands.
The incident occurred at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York during Sabalenka’s match against Kamilla Rakhimova.
US Open personnel entered the stands to try to identify the source of the odor.
Sabalenka said smoke around the court could make it harder for players to concentrate.
She defeated Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 without facing a break point and will next play Taylor Townsend.
- Who
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova were involved; US Open staff responded to the complaint.
- What
- Sabalenka briefly halted her match after reporting a strong marijuana smell from the stands.
- When
- Saturday, during the third game of Sabalenka’s third-round match.
- Where
- Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open in New York.
- Why
- Sabalenka said smoke reaching the court could make it difficult for players to concentrate.
Player focus and court conditions
Spectator relaxation and legal cannabis
Smoke near the court
Player focus and court conditions
Sabalenka said spectators could do what they wanted away from the courts, but smoke reaching the playing area was distracting and difficult to handle while competing.
Spectator relaxation and legal cannabis
Recreational cannabis is legal in New York, and smoke from areas around Flushing Meadows-Corona Park can drift toward the tennis complex, although smoking is prohibited inside the grounds.
Crowd behavior
Player focus and court conditions
Sabalenka and Adrian Mannarino have raised concerns about marijuana odors and crowd etiquette affecting players during matches.
Spectator relaxation and legal cannabis
The incident involved a spectator activity that may have occurred outside the tennis grounds, rather than an officially permitted activity inside the venue.
- Match result
- Aryna Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4.
- Tournament stage
- Third round of the US Open.
- Interruption
- Sabalenka reported a strong marijuana smell while serving and leading 30-0.
- Venue response
- US Open personnel went into the stands to try to identify the source.
- Break points faced
- Sabalenka did not face a break point.
- Next opponent
- American Taylor Townsend.
- Smoking rules
- Smoking is not permitted inside the US Open grounds.