Overview
- During her match Friday, Aryna Sabalenka stopped serving to tell the umpire she smelled strong marijuana, the umpire radioed a tournament official, play resumed, and Sabalenka won 6-3, 6-4.
- Sabalenka told reporters after the match that the smell makes it hard to perform and asked fans to avoid smoking near the courts.
- Tournament coverage shows this is a long-standing issue at Flushing Meadows with other players, including Alexander Zverev and Tamara Korpatsch, reporting distraction or breathing problems.
- Reporters and players point to New York's 2021 legalization and the start of retail sales in late 2022 as context for more pervasive outdoor odor at the venue, which wind can carry from stands or nearby parks.
- The immediate effect is a renewed call for clearer rules or enforcement to protect player health and fair play, and observers should watch for any formal policy change from US Open officials.