During her third-round match at the US Open on Friday, Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka paused play to address the umpire about a strong marijuana odor emanating from the crowd. Sabalenka was heard telling the umpire, Eva Asderaki-Moore, "Someone is smoking weed. Do you mind? Because it’s so strong."
Despite the olfactory disruption, Sabalenka went on to win the match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. The incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of marijuana use around the US Open grounds, particularly since New York City legalized recreational cannabis.
According to reports, local dispensaries have been delivering marijuana products to fans attending the tournament. One dispensary manager, Tre Davidson of Silk Road, told The New York Post that cannabis "makes [tennis] a little more entertaining."
This is not the first time players have had to contend with the smell of marijuana during matches. Reports indicate it has been an ongoing issue for several years following New York's legalization. Tournament organizers face the challenge of balancing fan enjoyment with the comfort and performance of the athletes on court. Some suggestions for managing the issue include encouraging the use of edibles over smoking to reduce airborne odors, allowing players to focus on the competition without distraction.