Home
Something strange happened at the tennis court in New York during the last Grand Slam of the year. Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped play during her US Open second-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova after detecting a strong smell of cannabis at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
ADVERTISEMENT
The World Number One and two-time defending champion, who was leading 3-0 in the first set, approached umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore and said someone was smoking weed, asking her to address it because the odour was so intense.
Watch: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka pauses US Open match over cannabis smell, ‘someone is smoking weed’
The umpire spoke with officials and made a gesture towards the stands before play resumed. Sabalenka went on to complete a 6-3, 6-4 victory, extending her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 16 matches as she continues her pursuit of a third consecutive US Open title.
Speaking afterwards, the Belarusian said the smell was difficult to ignore. “It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best,” she noted, adding that she hoped fans would be more mindful.
Smoking is banned inside the grounds, but the scent of cannabis is known to drift in from nearby Corona Park, where it is legal for adults. Similar complaints have been raised by other players in recent years, including Britain’s Katie Boulter.
ALSO READ: Exclusive: Medvedev eyes another US Open title run as former champion says men’s draw is ‘open’
ADVERTISEMENT
