World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was cruising through her third-round match at the US Open on Friday, but the atmosphere at Louis Armstrong Stadium wasn't to her liking. The Belarusian star, who took down Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16, had to stop play early in the first set to address a pungent problem: the smell of cannabis wafting through the stands.
Before finishing her second service game, Sabalenka walked over to the chair umpire and made her request clear. "Someone is smoking weed," she said, according to footage shared on social media. "Do you mind? Because it's so strong." The four-time Grand Slam champion's frustration was evident as she gestured toward the offending area, hoping officials could put a stop to the disruption.
This isn't the first time the US Open has dealt with marijuana smoke complaints. Several players have voiced similar concerns over the years, and the issue has become a recurring headache for tournament organizers. Fans on social media were quick to weigh in, with many expressing embarrassment over the behavior. "Such a shame what has been going on at this tournament, turning into a circus. Feel sorry for the players having to deal with it," one fan wrote. Another chimed in, "Only at the US Open can the conditions report include temperature, wind, humidity… and weed."
Despite the distraction, Sabalenka kept her composure and closed out the match in straight sets, extending her dominant run in New York. The reigning champion has been in formidable form, and this victory sets up a fourth-round showdown as she continues her title defense.
This week has been eventful for Sabalenka beyond the court. After her second-round win, she was asked about the "parties" and social events she attends before each major, a question that clearly rubbed her the wrong way. "You guys are like a joke. Parties. Fun. Why would you even say that?" she fired back at reporters. "Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands and you think that I've been partying?"
Sabalenka's frustration with off-court distractions hasn't seemed to affect her game. She remains a heavy favorite to lift the trophy again, and her focus appears sharper than ever. The incident with the fan is just another example of how players sometimes have to navigate unusual circumstances at major tournaments. For more on how athletes handle mid-match disruptions, check out Liv Morgan's similar confrontation.
As the tournament progresses, the question lingers: will officials do more to curb the smoking issue? For now, Sabalenka is letting her racket do the talking, and her opponents are taking notice. The New York crowd may be lively, but the world No. 1 is proving she can handle whatever comes her way—on and off the court.
