31, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts during a match against Camila Osorio, of Colombia, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Monday, Aug.
Aryna Sabalenka has joked that she might “get high” herself if the cannabis smell keeps drifting around the US Open after briefly stopping her third-round match to complain about it.
The world No.1 was playing Kamilla Rakhimova in Louis Armstrong Stadium when she noticed the strong smell and approached chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore while leading 3-0 in the opening set. Sabalenka ultimately brushed off the interruption and produced one of her strongest performances of the tournament, beating Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round without dropping a set. She hit 10 aces, faced zero break points and moved into the round of 16 without dropping a set. The world No.1 had not reached another final since winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back in March, leaving her searching for consistency as she attempted to defend her title. She is also fighting to retain the No.1 ranking. Sabalenka has held the top spot for 97 weeks, but will lose it unless she wins her third consecutive US Open title and world No.2 Elena Rybakina loses before the semi-finals. 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Her next opponent will be home favourite Taylor Townsend, who reached the fourth round for a second consecutive year. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Townsend followed up her run to the last 16 at last year’s US Open by producing another impressive tournament in New York, defeating 15th seed Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3.
Because it’s so strong, while leading 3-0, she called over Asderaki-Moore and told the umpire: “Someone is smoking weed, do you mind …. Because it was a bit windy, “Also. Because wind blows it into the stadium,” Sabalenka said, i don’t know if it was coming from the crowd or the outside.
But the cannabis smell came up again in her post-match press conference, where Sabalenka revealed just how noticeable it had been.
Speaking afterwards, Sabalenka said she had no issue with people enjoying themselves away from the competition. But please don’t do it around the tennis courts,” she said. The Belarusian was then asked how “high” she was compared with the other Grand Slam tournaments, prompting a laugh and a joke that suggested the smell had already become difficult to escape. Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka initially believed the smell could have been coming from somewhere in the crowd. Officials briefly searched the crowd, although they were unable to identify the source. “I was like, guys you can do whatever. You can smoke, whatever. You can relax as much as you can. “It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best. “High? The level? “Now I can only hear weed stuff. If they’re gonna keep smoking I might get high. Sabalenka was also asked whether it was the first time she had encountered such a strong smell while playing in New York. “That strong? Yeah,” she replied. She suggested the wind may have played a part, leaving her uncertain about exactly where the smell had come from. “I just hope they’re gonna be a bit more aware of that stuff. Cannabis is legal in New York, and the smell has become a familiar talking point around the US Open in recent years. However, smoking is prohibited inside the tournament grounds. That is significant given the form Sabalenka brought into New York. Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Kamilla Rakhimova, of Uzbekistan, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Friday, Sept. That means Sabalenka now has a considerably tougher test ahead, but after arriving at the US Open short of her best form, she is beginning to find some rhythm.
Sabalenka Advances Despite Tournament Disruptions
Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending US Open champion, successfully navigated a tough match against Rakhimova, winning in straight sets. Sabalenka’s performance was bolstered by an impressive serving display, allowing her to maintain control throughout the encounter.
Earlier in the tournament, British player Katie Boulter reported encountering the smell of cannabis around the outer courts, specifically mentioning her experience while competing on Court 17. However, this incident did not seem to impact Sabalenka’s focus or performance as she continued her quest for a third consecutive title.
1 asked the umpire to address a strong smell of cannabis inside Louis Armstrong Stadium. Having raced to a 3-0 lead, the top seed stopped play before it could continue and brought the issue to chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore.
Earlier reporting noted: “Someone is smoking weed,” Sabalenka said while leading 30-0. “Would you mind doing so, because it’s so strong?” she stated further. And if the tennis continues to improve, perhaps the only thing Sabalenka will need to worry about in her next match is the opponent — rather than what is drifting in from somewhere around the stadium. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app. The unusual moment came during Sabalenka’s second service game against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova. Her concern was the effect the smell could have on players competing at the highest level.
Earlier reporting noted: After winning the match, Sabalenka explained that her complaint was not about spectators enjoying themselves. Earlier reporting noted: Aryna Sabalenka clears the air on stopping US Open match after ‘someone smokes weed’: ‘Don’t do it around courts’ Aryna Sabalenka’s third-round victory at the US Open was briefly interrupted on Friday when the world No.