Aryna Sabalenka paused her third-round match at the US Open to report a strong marijuana odor. The World No. 1 addressed umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore in Louis Armstrong Stadium, prompting a security search for the source.
Sabalenka's mid-match interruption in Louis Armstrong Stadium
Aryna Sabalenka's disruption of her third-round match against Kamila Rakhimova occurred while she was serving at the south end of Louis Armstrong Stadium. The World No. 1, positioned near her team's box, paused play at 30-0 to alert umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to a powerful marijuana scent. According to the report , Sabalenka explicitly requested that officials "deal with it" because the odor was so overwhelming.
In response, Asderaki-Moore utilized a radio and made a "mysterious snipping signal" to alert her colleagues, prompting US Open staff to enter the stands to locate the source of the smoke. Louis Armstrong Stadium serves as the second-largest of the tournament's show courts. Despite the prestige of the venue, the incident highlights how external environmental factors can penetrate even the most high-profile matches.
The "hash court" legacy of Court 17
The presence of cannabis odors is a known issue for players at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which is situated within Flushing Meadows Corona Park. British player Katie Boulter has previously noted that the smell is particularly heavy around the practice courts and can be quite unpleasant.. This issue is so well-documented that Danish media has referred to Court 17 as "hash court" due to the persistent scent that lingers in the air.
Because Flushing Meadows Corona Park allows for legal cannabis use in its open spaces, the boundary between the public park and the professional tennis grounds is often blurred. Boulter shared that she has experienced this during her own matches,noting that the smell is something players do not want to encounter during active competition. This proximity creates a unique challenge for tournament organizers trying to maintain a controlled atmosphere.
USTA's coordination with the NYPD and Parks Department
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) maintains that it is working to preserve a smoke-free environment despite the legal status of cannabis in New York. As reported by the source, the organization collaborates with the NYPD and the Parks Department to monitor the area near the tournament fenceline. While the USTA acknowledges it cannot control activities occurring off the grounds,they emphasize that smoking is strictly prohibited within all tournament venues.
The USTA stated they remain "vigilant" in enforcing these rules through their security and guest services teams. By working with local law enforcement and park officials, the organization aims to decrease smoking near the facility's perimeter, even as the surrounding public park remains a legal zone for cannabis use.
The mystery of the unidentified smoker
Several specific details regarding the incident in Louis Armstrong Stadium remain unverified. It is currently unclear whether the marijuana smoke originated from a spectator within the stadium seating or drifted in from the surrounding public park. Furthermore, while security staff conducted a search of the crowd, the report does not indicate if any individuals were identified or if any disciplinary actions were taken. The source provides the USTA's official stance but does not include any statements from spectators or those potentially involved in the odor, leaving the exact cause of the disruption a mystery.
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