{
  "id": 5620816,
  "title": "Aryna Sabalenka complains about the smell of marijuana during her US Open match",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/aryna-sabalenka-complains-about-the-smell-of-marijuana-during-her-us",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T19:03:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/tennis/2026/09/04/aryna-sabalenka-complains-about-the-smell-of-marijuana-during-her-us-open-match"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending U.S. Open champion, revealed that the smell of marijuana disturbed her during her third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova. Early in the match, she complained to the chair umpire, indicating that the odor was so strong in her third game that she had to stop the point. Sabalenka speculated that the smell could be coming from the crowd or outside due to the wind carrying it into the stadium. She expressed her hope that officials would be more vigilant about the issue. No fans were found smoking on the premises, and the U.S. Tennis Association has stated they are committed to maintaining a smoke-free environment. Despite the distraction, Sabalenka managed to win the match and eventually chuckled about the incident during her post-match press conference.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Aryna Sabalenka complained about marijuana smell during match",
    "Umpire halted point due to strong odor in third game",
    "Sabalenka hopes officials will be more vigilant about issue"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Sabalenka interrupts US Open match over smell of cannabis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sabalenka-interrupts-us-open-match-over-smell-of-cannabis",
        "published": "2026-09-04T16:14:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Sabalenka interrupts US Open match over cannabis smell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sabalenka-interrupts-us-open-match-over-cannabis-smell",
        "published": "2026-09-04T16:40:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Sabalenka gets through tough test at the US Open, with Williams sisters in doubles action at night",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sabalenka-gets-through-tough-test-at-the-us-open-with-williams",
        "published": "2026-09-04T17:15:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Sabalenka, Pegula get through tough tests at US Open, with Williams sisters playing doubles at night",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sabalenka-pegula-get-through-tough-tests-at-us-open-with-williams",
        "published": "2026-09-04T20:23:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Sabalenka interrupts US Open match against Rakhimova over cannabis smell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sabalenka-interrupts-us-open-match-against-rakhimova-over-cannabis",
        "published": "2026-09-04T21:05:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Sabalenka interrupts US Open match over cannabis smell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sabalenka-interrupts-us-open-match-over-cannabis-smell-5645285",
        "published": "2026-09-04T21:07:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sabalenka interrupts US Open match over cannabis smell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/sabalenka-interrupts-us-open-match-over-cannabis-smell-5657240",
        "published": "2026-09-04T22:37:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}