World number one Aryna Sabalenka paused her US Open third-round match on Friday to alert the umpire to a strong smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium court, later urging fans to keep their smoking away from the playing area.
Sabalenka, who went on to defeat Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4, raised the issue during her second service game, telling umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore: "Do you mind? Because it's so strong."
The Belarusian later told reporters she was not objecting to anyone enjoying themselves but pleaded for the smoking to be kept away from the court.
"I was like, 'Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please not do it around the tennis courts,'" a smiling Sabalenka said. "It's a bit tricky to handle that smell while you're trying to compete at your best."
The odour of cannabis has become a familiar — if unwelcome — feature at Flushing Meadows, with players complaining about the distraction in the past. While smoking is not permitted inside the grounds, recreational cannabis is legal for adults over 21 in New York. Smoke from people in the surrounding Flushing Meadows-Corona Park can drift into the tennis complex and onto the courts.
Sabalenka said she had previously smelled cannabis at the tournament but never so strongly during a match, with the wind apparently carrying the odour into the stadium. "I don't know if it was coming from the crowd or was from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium," she said. "I just hope they are a bit more aware of that stuff."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident highlights a recurring distraction for players at the US Open, where cannabis smoke from outside the grounds drifts into the stadium.
- As recreational cannabis is legal in New York but smoking is prohibited within the tennis complex, the tournament faces an enforcement challenge that affects player performance and spectator experience.
- The complaint from the world number one may prompt the USTA to review crowd management or air quality measures.
Background
Cannabis has been legal for recreational use by adults over 21 in New York since 2021. The US Open is held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, a public space where consumption is permitted outside the venue. While the USTA prohibits smoking inside the grounds, enforcement is difficult given the open-air design of courts like Louis Armstrong Stadium, which is exposed to breezes from surrounding areas.
Key Perspectives
Aryna Sabalenka: She does not oppose cannabis use but wants smoking kept away from the court to avoid distraction during high-stakes competition.
Tournament organisers (USTA): Must balance local laws with maintaining a distraction-free environment; smoking bans exist but are hard to enforce against smoke drifting in from outside.
Critics/Skeptics: Some may argue players should accept the ambient conditions of an outdoor urban venue, while others may call for stricter perimeter controls.
What to Watch
- Whether the USTA issues a statement or increases security around the stadium to deter nearby smoking.
- If Sabalenka or other players raise the issue again in later rounds.
- Potential for new tournament policies ahead of future editions of the US Open.