Aryna Sabalenka Complains of Weed Smell at US Open

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked tennis player, was involved in a bizarre incident during her third-round match at the 2026 US Open.

The incident occurred when Sabalenka was facing Kamilla Rakhimova at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Sabalenka suddenly stopped playing and alerted the chair umpire, Eva Asderaki-Moore, to a strong smell of weed.

Sabalenka told the umpire, 'Someone is smoking weed. Would you mind to tell them to deal with it because it's so strong?' The tournament staff were then informed about the issue.

Despite the brief interruption, Sabalenka quickly regained her focus and continued the match against Rakhimova. She eventually won the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the fourth round of the US Open.

Sabalenka later explained that she had experienced the smell of cannabis around the US Open before, but felt it was particularly strong during her match. She requested that spectators avoid smoking around the tennis courts as the smell can make it difficult for players to compete.

The unusual incident added another memorable moment to this year's US Open, where the atmosphere around the Flushing Meadows venue can sometimes lead to unexpected distractions for players.

Sabalenka, however, managed to put the interruption behind her and remain on course in her bid to continue her title defence. The Belarusian star's ability to focus and overcome distractions will be crucial as she progresses through the tournament.

The US Open is known for its lively atmosphere, and while it can be entertaining for spectators, it can also be challenging for players. Sabalenka's incident highlights the need for players to be able to focus and perform at their best, even in difficult conditions.

As the tournament continues, Sabalenka will face tougher opponents and more challenging conditions. Her ability to overcome distractions and stay focused will be essential to her success.

In the end, Sabalenka's complaint about the weed smell did not seem to affect her performance, and she was able to secure a comfortable victory. The incident will likely be remembered as a unusual moment in the tournament, but it did not detract from Sabalenka's dominant performance.