Aryna Sabalenka experienced a disruption during her third-round match at the US Open when she complained to the chair umpire about the smell of marijuana, which she attributed to a spectator smoking in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The incident occurred during the third game of her match against Kamila Rakhimova. Sabalenka, serving at 30-0, paused play to address the umpire, stating, "Someone is smoking weed. Would you mind to (tell them to deal with it) because it's so strong."
Following Sabalenka's complaint, the umpire contacted US Open staff, who reportedly began searching the crowd for the source of the odor. The smell of cannabis is not uncommon on the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, as marijuana is legal in New York and can be consumed in public parks. However, smoking, including of marijuana, is prohibited within the tournament venue.
This is not the first time players have noted the smell of cannabis at the tournament. During qualifying and the lead-up to the event, several British players commented on the scent, with Katie Boulter specifically mentioning its presence around Court 17, which she described as being referred to as 'hash court' by Danish media due to the lingering smell.
In response to such concerns, the USTA stated that while they cannot control activities outside the tennis center, they remain committed to maintaining a smoke-free environment within the facility. They emphasized that their security and guest services teams address any instances of smoking brought to their attention, reminding individuals that smoking is not permitted on park property, including the tennis center. The USTA also noted their collaboration with the NYPD and Parks Department to reduce smoking near the venue's perimeter.