Aryna Sabalenka made headlines at the US Open for an unexpected reason after the world number one briefly halted her third-round match because of a strong smell of marijuana inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The two-time defending US Open champion was taking on Kamilla Rakhimova when the unusual interruption occurred. Sabalenka had established a 2-0 lead in the opening set and was preparing to continue serving before suddenly stopping play.
After speaking briefly with her team, the Belarusian tennis star approached chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to raise the issue.
Aryna Sabalenka complains about strong smell during US Open match
Sabalenka told the umpire that someone appeared to be smoking weed and complained that the smell was particularly strong. The umpire then contacted an official over the radio and signalled toward people in the surrounding area before the match resumed.
The incident has drawn further attention to the issue of marijuana smells around the US Open grounds at Flushing Meadows. Reports have suggested that the smell has been noticeable during the tournament, particularly on courts located closer to Corona Park.
Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the tournament site, meaning officials were required to respond after Sabalenka raised her complaint. The interruption was brief, but it became one of the most talked-about moments surrounding the world number one’s latest appearance in New York.
US Open weed smell becomes another talking point
The marijuana smell issue has become an unusual subplot during this year’s US Open. While the tournament continues to produce major on-court battles, players have also had to deal with distractions from the environment surrounding the Flushing Meadows complex.
For Sabalenka, the complaint came while she was attempting to continue her campaign for another title in New York. As the two-time defending champion and world number one, she entered the tournament carrying enormous expectations.
The brief stoppage showed how even the biggest stars can be affected by unexpected conditions during a Grand Slam match. Sabalenka quickly returned her focus to tennis after officials were alerted to the problem.
Sabalenka also faces questions away from the court
The marijuana incident is not the only off-court moment involving Aryna Sabalenka to attract attention during the US Open.
Following her dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Polina Iatcenko, Sabalenka was involved in a tense exchange after being questioned about her off-court commitments. The discussion centred on her brand appearances and whether those activities suggested she had been spending too much time partying instead of preparing for competition.
Sabalenka strongly pushed back against the implication, making it clear that she did not agree with the suggestion about her preparation or commitment to tennis.
The exchange sparked debate about the line between legitimate questions regarding an athlete’s schedule and more personal assumptions about their lifestyle. With Sabalenka one of the biggest personalities in women’s tennis, her commercial commitments and public appearances naturally generate attention, but the world number one has continued to insist on keeping her focus on her performances.
Can Aryna Sabalenka complete another US Open title run?
Despite the distractions, Aryna Sabalenka remains firmly focused on her US Open title defence. Her position as world number one and two-time defending champion makes her one of the leading contenders for the trophy.
The latest events have shown that her tournament has not been short of drama, from the unexpected marijuana smell that stopped play to questions about her life away from the court. However, Sabalenka’s biggest challenge remains the competition standing between her and another Grand Slam triumph.
As the US Open progresses, all eyes will remain on Sabalenka to see whether she can block out the noise, handle the growing spotlight and continue her run in New York.
For now, the brief stoppage against Kamilla Rakhimova has added another remarkable chapter to her tournament — proving that at a Grand Slam, even the world’s best players can encounter distractions no one could have predicted.
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