Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka stops US Open match because of overwhelming marijuana stench
In a memorable third-round match at the U.S. Open on Friday, Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka paused play to address an unusual distraction: the overwhelming odor of marijuana wafting from the stands. The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding cannabis consumption among tennis fans in New York City, where legalization has allowed spectators to light up during high-profile events like the U.S. Open.
Sabalenka encountered her opponent, Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens. As play unfolded, Sabalenka stood to confront the crowd, expressing frustration over the lingering aroma. “Someone is smoking weed,” she was heard saying. “Do you mind? Because it’s so strong.” She then approached tournament official Eva Asderaki-Moore to address the issue before resuming her match.
Despite the interruption, Sabalenka secured a victory, though the episode reignited discussions about how fan behavior impacts athlete performance. The U.S. Open has grappled with cannabis-related complaints in recent years, particularly since New York legalized recreational marijuana use in 2021. For players competing on hard courts under the scorching summer sun, the persistent smell has become a recurring concern.
Adding complexity to the situation, a recent investigation by the New York Post highlighted how local dispensaries are capitalizing on tennis tournaments by offering direct-to-fan deliveries. “You get high, it makes [tennis] a little more entertaining,” Tre Davidson, a manager at the Queens-based dispensary Silk Road, told the publication. His comment reflects a broader trend of fan engagement strategies that blur the line between sports enjoyment and cannabis culture.
The incident echoes past controversies, such as a group of content creators briefly halting a match for a photosession in a luxury suite earlier this week. Tournament officials have yet to issue a formal statement addressing the latest incident, but the recurring disruptions highlight the challenges of regulating public consumption in a legal gray area.
For Sabalenka, the matter demands more than logistical solutions. “It’s not just about one match,” she remarked in a post-game interview, according to a source familiar with her remarks. “We need a space where players can focus solely on their game.”
While the U.S. Open has long balanced entertainment and sport, the Sabalenka affair underscores the unique pressures of hosting a global event in a city where cannabis remains widely accessible. Experts suggest alternatives like edibles—which produce vapor rather than smoke—could mitigate the issue while preserving fan enjoyment.
As the tournament progresses into its latter stages, athletes and organizers alike face a delicate balancing act: maintaining competitive integrity while accommodating the expectations of a city known for its progressive social norms. For now, the court remains divided, with players advocating for cleaner air and fans defending their right to celebrate the game in their own way.