Sabalenka interrupts US Open match against Rakhimova over cannabis smell

What the report says

World number one Aryna Sabalenka’s US Open third-round match against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova was briefly interrupted when Sabalenka stopped play to tell the umpire about a strong smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York. The match took place on Friday, and Sabalenka was already ahead when she raised the concern during her second service game. She then went on to win in straight sets.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, Sabalenka told the umpire that someone was smoking weed and asked for it to be kept away from the court. After the match, she said she was not criticizing people for smoking in general, but wanted it to be away from the tennis venue because the smell made it harder to compete.

The article says cannabis odor has been a recurring complaint at Flushing Meadows in past tournaments. Although smoking is not allowed inside the grounds, recreational cannabis is legal for adults in New York, and smoke from nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park can drift into the stadium area. Sabalenka said windy conditions may have carried the smell into the court. The episode is notable because it adds to ongoing concerns from players about outside distractions during matches at the US Open.