Sabalenka Defeats Rakhimova in Straight Sets Despite Marijuana Odor

Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the fourth round on Friday, overcoming a pungent smell of marijuana that interrupted her service games.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured a third-round victory at the US Open on Friday, defeating Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets. The two-time defending champion faced an unusual distraction during the match when a pungent smell of marijuana permeated Louis Armstrong Stadium. The top-seeded Sabalenka encountered the odor early in the contest, specifically during the third game of the first set while she was at the service line.

During that game, the Belarusian star twice tossed the ball to serve but allowed it to fall to the court without making contact. Visibly bothered by the atmosphere, she approached chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to report the issue, stating, "someone's smoking weed." Sabalenka later noted that she had never experienced such a potent scent while competing, questioning whether the source was the crowd or the wind blowing the odor into the stadium from the outside.

Disturbance During Service Games

Sabalenka expressed that the intensity of the smell made it difficult to maintain focus during high-level competition. She requested that individuals refrain from smoking around the tennis courts, even if they are attempting to relax. Despite the interruption, the world’s top-ranked player managed to navigate the third-round encounter successfully. No fans were identified as the source of the smoke, and security teams reported that no spectators were ejected from the grounds for smoking violations during the match.

U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre issued a statement following the incident, clarifying that the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is a smoke-free environment. While smoking is legal in New York, it is prohibited on park property, which includes the tennis facility. McIntyre emphasized that security and guest services teams remain vigilant in enforcing these rules when they are made aware of any individuals violating the policy.

Historical Context at Louis Armstrong Stadium

The smell of marijuana has been a recurring topic for athletes competing at the US Open. Players such as Maria Sakkari and Nick Kyrgios have previously lodged similar complaints regarding the odor inside the same stadium. Officials often point to the public park located directly behind the grounds as the likely origin of the scent, as the USTA cannot control activities taking place outside the perimeter of the National Tennis Center.

Sabalenka eventually joked about the situation during her post-match news conference at 03:07 PM ET. She speculated that perhaps the fans were trying to slow down the pace of her play because the match was moving too fast. The two-time champion admitted she was unfamiliar with the specific effects of the substance but was able to laugh off the distraction after securing her place in the next round.

USTA Enforcement and Facility Policies

The USTA maintains that they will continue to enforce the smoke-free status of the facility through their security protocols. The organization noted that while they lack jurisdiction over the surrounding public park, they prioritize maintaining a professional environment for the competitors. Sabalenka’s victory on Friday keeps her quest for a third consecutive title alive, despite the environmental challenges faced during the early stages of her match on the Louis Armstrong court.