The US Open is known for its intense atmosphere, raucous crowds, and the unique sensory experience of playing in the heart of New York City. However, for world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the sensory input during her third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova took an unexpected and rather pungent turn. While maintaining her focus in Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Belarusian star found herself grappling with an unusual distraction: the pervasive smell of marijuana drifting across the court.
Sabalenka explains why she stopped the match
The incident occurred early in the first set, with Sabalenka holding a comfortable 3-0 lead. Clearly affected by the strong odor, she approached the chair umpire, Eva Asderaki-Moore, to voice her concerns. “Someone is smoking weed, do you mind… because it’s so strong,” Sabalenka requested. While officials performed a cursory sweep of the immediate area, the source of the scent remained unidentified, likely masked by the city breeze that frequently swirls through the open-air stadium.
Reflecting on the bizarre interruption during her post-match press conference, Sabalenka maintained a balanced perspective. She emphasized that while she respects the autonomy of fans to enjoy themselves outside the venue, the environment of a professional tennis match requires a different standard of decorum. “I was like, guys, you can do whatever. You can smoke, whatever. You can relax as much as you can. But please don’t do it around the tennis courts,” she stated. She noted the difficulty of maintaining peak concentration when forced to deal with environmental factors far outside the realm of standard athletic preparation. When pressed on the frequency of such occurrences, she admitted this was the most potent instance she had encountered at Flushing Meadows, humorously suggesting that if the situation persisted, she might end up experiencing the effects of the smoke herself.
A recurring issue at Flushing Meadows
While the smell of cannabis is becoming a frequently discussed topic at the US Open, it is important to note that smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited within the tournament grounds. Despite these regulations, the proximity of the venue to local neighborhoods, combined with the legal status of marijuana in New York, has created a recurring challenge for tournament organizers.
Sabalenka is not the only player to raise the issue this year. British standout Katie Boulter recently reported experiencing a similar situation while competing on the outer courts. The prevalence of the smell has turned into an unofficial “New York” trademark of the tournament, one that players are increasingly frustrated by. Sabalenka’s request for better awareness from the crowd highlights a growing desire among athletes to ensure the stadium remains an environment conducive to elite sporting performance.
Sabalenka finds her rhythm as Townsend awaits
The unusual interruption served as little more than a momentary speed bump for the world No. 1. Sabalenka delivered a dominant performance to dispatch Rakhimova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Her serving stats were particularly impressive, as she fired 10 aces and impressively navigated the match without facing a single break point. This clinical efficiency is a welcome sight for her camp, as the two-time defending champion arrived in New York navigating a period of relative inconsistency.
Since her back-to-back title runs at Indian Wells and Miami in March, Sabalenka has struggled to find her peak form, leading to questions about her ability to hold off the charging field. Her status as world No. 1 is also under threat; to maintain her 97-week hold on the top ranking, she must secure her third consecutive US Open title, provided that world No. 2 Elena Rybakina falls before the semi-finals. Having reached the fourth round without dropping a single set, the momentum appears to be shifting back in the Belarusian’s favor.
The road ahead
With the third round safely in the rearview mirror, Sabalenka faces a significant step up in competition in the round of 16. She is set to take on American favorite Taylor Townsend, who continues to prove her mettle on the biggest stage. Townsend, who reached this same stage in last year’s tournament, arrives at the clash following a gritty, three-set victory over 15th seed Diana Shnaider.
The matchup against Townsend promises to be a test of tactical discipline and emotional control. While Sabalenka possesses the raw power to overwhelm most opponents, she will need to stay dialed in against the versatile American. As the stakes rise and the tournament approaches the quarter-final stage, Sabalenka will be looking to keep her focus solely on her shot selection and movement. If she can continue the disciplined serving display she exhibited against Rakhimova, she will be a formidable obstacle for any player left in the draw. For now, the hope for all involved is that the fourth round remains defined by stellar tennis rather than the erratic scents of the New York skyline.
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