Sabalenka pauses US Open match over strong marijuana odor in stadium

Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament's top seed, stopped play in the third game of her match with Kamila Rakhimova at the US Open's Louis Armstrong Stadium to report a strong marijuana scent. She appealed to the chair umpire, who immediately radioed security, and staff entered the stands to identify the source. The tournament enforces a strict no-smoking rule, even though the adjacent Billie Jean King National Tennis Center lies within Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where cannabis consumption is legal outdoors.

The incident follows earlier complaints from players such as Katie Boulter, who described a persistent odor on Court 17. The USTA issued a statement emphasizing its vigilance, security enforcement, and collaboration with the NYPD and Parks Department to keep the venue smoke-free. No further disruption was reported after staff intervened.