Sabalenka interrupts US Open match over cannabis smell

New York - World number one Aryna Sabalenka briefly halted her U.S. Open match on Friday due to the overpowering aroma of cannabis wafting towards Louis Armstrong Stadium court. The top-seeded player, who had a commanding 3-0 lead, alerted the umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore during her second service game, expressing concern over the strong smell. "Would you mind to... because it's so strong," Sabalenka requested of the umpire.

Post-match, Sabalenka clarified that she wasn't criticizing anyone's personal enjoyment but emphasized the need to keep the smoking away from the tennis courts. "I was like, Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please to not do it around the tennis courts," she said with a smile. "It's a bit tricky to handle that smell while you're trying to compete at your best."

Cannabis use, while not allowed inside the grounds, is legal for adults in New York. The strong wind on Friday is believed to have carried the odor into the stadium. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of cannabis smoke affecting matches at Flushing Meadows. Fellow player Jessica Pegula echoed Sabalenka's concerns, suggesting that more could be done to minimize disruptions from external factors.