Sabalenka interrupts match over cannabis smell

New York: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka had an unusual interruption during her US Open third-round match on Friday, stopping play to alert the umpire to a strong smell of cannabis drifting onto Louis Armstrong Stadium court.

Sabalenka raised the issue during her second service game against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, pointing out the smell before play resumed. "Someone is smoking weed," Sabalenka told umpire Eva Asderaki Moore.

"Would you mind to ... because it's so strong."


The odour of cannabis has become a familiar — if unwelcome — feature at Flushing Meadows, with players complaining about the distraction in the past.