Aryna Sabalenka halts US Open match to complain of 'strong' marijuana smell

Aryna Sabalenka was forced to pause her US Open third-round match after complaining about what she believed was a strong smell of marijuana coming from the crowd inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The world No. 1 was serving against Kamilla Rakhimova when she stopped play at 30-0. After briefly speaking with her team, Sabalenka turned to chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore and asked officials to investigate the odor.

“Someone is smoking weed,” Sabalenka told the umpire, explaining that the smell was “so strong” and asking if something could be done.

Asderaki-Moore quickly contacted tournament staff, who moved through the stands in an attempt to locate the source. The interruption was relatively brief, allowing the match to resume without any major disruption to Sabalenka's concentration.

The unusual incident comes amid previous complaints from players about cannabis odors around the US Open grounds. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center sits within Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where cannabis can legally be smoked by adults in New York under state law.

However, smoking isn't permitted inside the US Open venue. The United States Tennis Association has said it maintains the tournament site as a smoke-free environment and relies on security and guest-services personnel to respond when smoking is reported.

The smell has apparently been particularly noticeable around some of the tournament's outdoor courts. British player Katie Boulter previously said she'd encountered the odor while practicing and competing, singling out Court 17 as an area where the smell could linger.

Boulter admitted she wasn't a fan of the situation and said she'd experienced the smell during one of her own matches.

“While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this facility as a smoke-free environment,” the USTA said in a statement.

“This includes enforcement by our security and guest services teams when they are made aware of any individual that may be smoking, making them aware that although it may be legal in New York, that smoking is not permitted on parks property, including the tennis center.

“We constantly work with the NYPD and Parks Department, and we believe this has helped to decrease smoking near our fenceline.”

Sabalenka advances despite unusual interruption

Despite the distraction, Sabalenka maintained her composure and eventually secured another straight-sets victory in her title defense.

The two-time defending champion made an excellent start against Rakhimova , quickly establishing a 3-0 advantage. She looked comfortable on serve for much of the opening set and eventually claimed it 6-3.

The second set was far more competitive. Rakhimova repeatedly fought back from difficult positions, holding serve four times after falling behind and saving four break points in the process.

Sabalenka finally found the breakthrough in the ninth game. Rakhimova had opened the game with a 40-0 advantage, but the world No. 1 fought back to secure the crucial break. She then held her nerve while serving for the match, completing a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Afterward, Sabalenka praised her opponent for making the second set so difficult and said the challenge pushed her to raise her level.

The victory sends Sabalenka into the fourth round and keeps her pursuit of another US Open crown firmly on track.