Aryna Sabalenka stopped her US Open match due to smell of weed |courtesy – screengrab
\n\nThe 2026 US Open saw a moment of embarrassment as World No. 1 Women's Singles player stopped her third-round match on Friday (September 4) against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York due to the alleged smell of marijuana. The episode happened despite smoking being banned inside the venue's premises.
\n\nThe incident happened in only the third game of the first set of the match while Sabalenka was in the middle of just her second service game. After winning the first two points, the Belarusian was getting ready to serve again, when she was visibly disturbed by the smell. The defending champion first had a word with members of her team in the stands before approaching the umpire, Eva Asderaki-Moore, to complain about the odor and said that it was very strong.
\n\n"Someone is smoking weed. Would you mind to … because it's so strong," Sabalenka was heard saying.
\n\nThe incident marks serious questions for organizers, as the match is taking place at the second-biggest venue at Flushing Meadows, which means that the stands are sufficiently enclosed to block any smell…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports
