The world No. 1 paused her third-round contest, prompting staff to investigate the potent aroma, as some former players dismiss it as a non-issue.
During her third-round US Open match, top seed Aryna Sabalenka abruptly stopped play to express concerns about a potent marijuana odor emanating from the stands. The incident occurred in the third game of her contest against Kamila Rakhimova at Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second-largest court at Flushing Meadows.
Sabalenka, serving from the south end of the stadium while up 30-0, directly informed the chair umpire. She stated, “Someone is smoking weed,” before adding, “Would you mind to (tell them to deal with it) because it’s so strong?” The umpire promptly radioed for assistance, leading US Open staff members to enter the crowd in an attempt to pinpoint the source of the smell.
This particular complaint from the defending US Open champion highlights an ongoing discussion at the tournament regarding court conditions and fan behavior. Other players have voiced similar concerns, while some former professionals openly disagree, categorizing the issue as minor, according to reporting by Tennis365.
Players Confront Peculiar Conditions at Flushing Meadows
The smell of marijuana is not the only peculiar condition noted by players at this year's US Open. French tennis player Adrian Mannarino, after his second-round defeat to Alexander Bublik, expressed dissatisfaction with a perceived decline in spectator etiquette. He observed a change in tournament rules, allowing fans to move and converse in the stands even during points, a stark contrast to previous regulations that restricted movement to changeovers.
Mannarino described the atmosphere as transforming into “a bit of a zoo,” citing the combination of the marijuana smell and widespread noise as contributors to really peculiar playing conditions. He questioned whether the tournament's tolerance for these new behaviors was beneficial for tennis generally, especially with a visible rise in paid influencers attending the event.
Former Stars Dismiss Cannabis Odor as a 'Non-Issue'
Despite player complaints, some ex-professional tennis players view the situation differently. Prior to Sabalenka's incident, the team behind the Nothing Major podcast, featuring John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson, discussed the recurring issue and labeled it a “non-issue.”
John Isner acknowledged the player complaints about the aroma of cannabis around the grounds, particularly on court, but noted its prevalence throughout New York City. While confirming that Mannarino had also complained, Isner indicated his approval of the new rule allowing crowd movement during points. He then posed the question to his co-hosts: "What do you all think about the weed smell that these players are dealing with on the court? Non-issue?”
Sam Querrey was particularly dismissive of the grievances, urging critics of the tournament to cease what he perceived as incessant complaining. The former world No. 11 asserted, “It’s a non-issue. If it’s anything, it’s like way back in a practice court or something. It’s great. This tournament’s awesome. All this stuff with the influencers that are taking over. People on the internet are such idiots. Everyone’s just complaining to complain.”
US Open Staff Respond to Player Concerns
Following Aryna Sabalenka's direct complaint to the chair umpire, US Open officials acted swiftly. The umpire's immediate radio call for assistance led to tournament staff being dispatched into the stands. Their objective was to locate and address the source of the strong odor that was disrupting play.
It is important to note that, despite the prevalence of the smell, smoking cannabis within the tournament grounds at Flushing Meadows remains strictly forbidden. The incident underscores a growing tension between the expectations of professional athletes regarding playing conditions and the evolving atmosphere of major sporting events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Aryna Sabalenka to stop play at the US Open?
Aryna Sabalenka stopped her US Open match due to a strong, pervasive smell of weed inside Louis Armstrong Stadium. She directly informed the chair umpire about the potent odor.
Have other tennis players complained about similar issues at the US Open?
Yes, French player Adrian Mannarino also noted the smell of marijuana on court, alongside other concerns about crowd movement and noise, describing the overall atmosphere as "a bit of a zoo."
What do former professional tennis players think about the complaints?
Former pros John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson, on their Nothing Major podcast, largely dismissed the weed smell as a "non-issue," with Querrey criticizing what he called a culture of complaining.
Is smoking marijuana allowed at the US Open grounds?
No, despite the reported incidents, it is explicitly forbidden to smoke weed anywhere within the US Open tournament grounds.