Sabalenka Calls Strong Cannabis Smell at US Open ‘Embarrassing’

Posted : 05 September 2026

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped play during her third-round US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova after complaining about a strong cannabis smell inside Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday. The two-time defending champion was leading 3-0 when she alerted chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to the unusual distraction.

“Someone is smoking weed,” Sabalenka told the umpire before asking officials to address the smell because it was particularly strong. Tournament staff reportedly checked the stands after the complaint, but the source of the odor was not established.

Sabalenka later explained that she was not against spectators enjoying themselves away from the court. She said the problem was having to deal with the smell while trying to compete at the highest level.

“It’s a bit embarrassing to have to put up with that smell when you’re trying to give your best,” Sabalenka said, adding that wind could have carried the odor into the stadium from outside the tennis complex.

The incident has renewed concerns about distractions at the US Open. Cannabis use is legal for adults in New York, but smoking is prohibited within the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The tournament venue sits beside Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, where smoke can drift toward the tennis grounds.

Sabalenka was not seriously affected on court. She defeated Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year and maintained her perfect record of not dropping a set at this year's tournament. She also hit 10 aces and did not face a break point.

The Belarusian star has now won 16 consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows as she continues her bid for a third straight US Open title. A successful title defense would put her alongside Serena Williams and Chris Evert as women who have won the tournament three years in a row.

Sabalenka is not the only player to raise concerns about the atmosphere in New York. French veteran Adrian Mannarino also complained about marijuana odors, crowd movement and noise after his defeat to Alexander Bublik. He described the playing conditions as unusual and questioned whether the changes were good for tennis.

The US Open has also faced wider questions about spectator behavior and influencer activity. Naomi Osaka has called for greater respect for tennis etiquette, while Sabalenka's latest complaint has added another unusual distraction to an already eventful tournament.

Sabalenka Calls Strong Cannabis Smell at US Open ‘Embarrassing’

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