Aryna Sabalenka interrupts match due to strong smell of marijuana
Aryna Sabalenka paused her US Open third-round contest with Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova after a strong odour of marijuana drifted across the court, reports BritPanorama.
The world number one, already 3-0 ahead in the opening set, informed umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore that “someone is smoking weed,” urging her to act “because it’s so strong.” Asderaki-Moore subsequently radioed another official and gestured towards a spectator to signal a smoking break, allowing the match to resume shortly after.
This incident is not isolated; last month, Britain’s Katie Boulter expressed her discontent regarding the smell, stating she was “not a huge fan of it.” Boulter noted that numerous players have voiced similar complaints about the issue during matches.
She remarked, “I know a lot of players have complained on some of the specific courts. I’ve played on one before, and I did smell it during my match. It’s something that I wouldn’t like to smell in the middle of my match. I’m trying to focus, and then obviously, it takes you out of the moment, and you really don’t want to.” The challenge of distractions has become a point of contention among players.
Despite the interruption, Sabalenka maintained her focus and ultimately secured a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory, continuing her pursuit of a fifth Grand Slam singles title. Her performance showcased her powerful baseline game, evidenced by a mere four points lost on her serve during the first set, and a total of 10 aces in the match. Impressively, she did not face a single break point against Rakhimova.
Although recreational cannabis use is legal in New York state for adults aged 21 and above, it remains prohibited within the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, where the tournament is held. Previous editions of the US Open have seen similar complaints from notable players like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev regarding the issue. The recent incident highlights a peculiar intersection of local laws and the competitive atmosphere of sport.
As the two-time defending champion, Sabalenka has now extended her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 16 matches and aims to become the first woman since Serena Williams to capture three consecutive US Open singles titles from 2012 to 2014. The stakes remain high as the tournament advances, with her performance suggesting that distractions, whether from the crowd or the surrounding environment, will not easily disrupt her momentum.
This situation underscores the ongoing balancing act in professional sports, where the unpredictable nature of the environment can intersect with the intense focus required of athletes. How the players manage these distractions remains an ongoing narrative, showing that even amidst high competition, the unexpected can always surface.
