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Cannabis Cloud Halts US Open Play
6 Sep
Summary
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka detected strong cannabis odor during her US Open match.
- Sabalenka reported the smell to the umpire, noting difficulty concentrating.
- Despite its legality in New York, cannabis smoking is prohibited at the US Open.
During her third-round match at the 2026 US Open, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was notably distracted by the strong aroma of cannabis at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The incident occurred midway through her match against Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday. Sabalenka paused play to inform the chair umpire about the pervasive smell, which she identified as marijuana.
She expressed that while she has no objection to personal cannabis use, its presence near the courts impeded her ability to compete at her highest level. Despite efforts by stadium staff, the source of the odor remained unidentified, with Sabalenka suggesting it could have originated from spectators or been carried by wind from outside the venue.
This disruption did not prevent Sabalenka from securing a 6-3, 6-4 win, extending her US Open winning streak to 16 matches. She is now set to face American Taylor Townsend in the fourth round as she continues her quest for a third consecutive US Open title. The smell of cannabis has been a recurring issue at this year's tournament, with other players also reporting its presence.
