NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped her US Open match on Friday after detecting a powerful smell of marijuana inside Louis Armstrong Stadium and asking the chair umpire to intervene.
The unusual moment occurred during Sabalenka’s third-round match against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova. The world No. 1 was serving with a 2-0 lead in the opening set when she turned toward chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore and said, “Someone is smoking weed.”
Sabalenka then indicated that the odor was extremely strong and asked whether tournament staff could address it. The umpire contacted officials, who appeared to investigate where the smell was coming from before play continued.
It was not immediately confirmed whether a spectator was found smoking inside the stadium. The smell could also have drifted into the venue from elsewhere around the Flushing Meadows complex.
Aryna Sabalenka had to speak to the umpire mid-match at the U.S. Open due to someone smoking weed:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 4, 2026
“Someone is smoking weed. Do you mind? Because it’s so strong.”
pic.twitter.com/Fx2JnzZ6QN
Sabalenka overcomes distraction to reach fourth round
The interruption did little to derail the defending champion. Sabalenka maintained control of the contest and defeated Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 in under 90 minutes, according to the official US Open website.
Sabalenka broke Rakhimova in the opening game and produced a commanding serving performance through much of the first set. Her opponent offered stronger resistance in the second, keeping the score level until Sabalenka secured a crucial late break before serving out the match.
The straight-sets victory extended Sabalenka’s winning streak at the US Open to 16 matches and kept her pursuit of a third consecutive women’s singles title firmly on course.
She is attempting to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three straight US Open singles championships. Williams completed her run of consecutive titles between 2012 and 2014.
Sabalenka’s victory came during another eventful day in the women’s draw. American star Jessica Pegula kept her US Open campaign alive with a comeback victory over Leylah Fernandez, while Naomi Osaka’s tournament run has also attracted attention following controversy surrounding her match against Katerina Siniakova.
Cannabis smell has disrupted US Open matches before
Although recreational cannabis is legal for adults aged 21 and older in New York, that does not mean it can be smoked everywhere. Guidance from the New York City Department of Health states that cannabis smoking and vaping are prohibited inside and on the grounds of sports stadiums, as well as in parks and several other public locations.
Marijuana odors have nevertheless become a recurring talking point at the US Open. Players including Maria Sakkari and Alexander Zverev complained about a similar smell around Court 17 during the 2023 tournament.
At the time, officials investigated but reportedly found no evidence that spectators were smoking in the stands. Court 17’s proximity to Flushing Meadows Corona Park raised the possibility that the odor had drifted onto the tournament grounds from outside.
The issue has resurfaced during the 2026 competition. Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch reportedly complained about cannabis odors near practice courts, while other players have also commented on the distinctive smell around parts of the complex.
Friday’s incident stood out because it happened inside Louis Armstrong Stadium and prompted the world’s top-ranked player to stop in the middle of a service game. Video of Sabalenka alerting the umpire quickly circulated online and became one of the most discussed moments of the tournament.
Despite the distraction, Sabalenka remained composed and completed another efficient victory. Her focus now returns to her title defense as she moves into the second week of the US Open with history—and the No. 1 ranking—on the line.
This report was updated on September 4, 2026, following the completion of Sabalenka’s match.
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