(September 4, 2026) FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – Not even the smell of marijuana could stop two-time defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka on Friday. The world No.1 defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round.
Sabalenka said she smelled a strong odor of marijuana early in the match and complained to the umpire
“I don’t know if it was, like, coming from the crowd or was from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium,” Sabalenka said. “I don’t know. I just hope they’re going to be a bit more aware of that stuff.”
“I was like, guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please, to not do it around the tennis courts,” Sabalenka said to media later.
“It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best.”
“While we can’t control what takes place off the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we continue to be vigilant as we maintain this facility as a smoke-free environment,” United States Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre said in a statement. “This includes enforcement by our security and guest services teams when they are made aware of any individual that may be smoking, making them aware that although it may be legal in NY, that smoking is not permitted on parks property including the tennis center.”
Sabalenka was amused by the topic during her news conference later.
Q. Can you tell us about the bizarre moment in Set 1 where you had to tell the umpire you could smell weed? What was going through your mind at that stage? Have you ever encountered that before?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I was, like, Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please, to not do it around the tennis courts. It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best (smiling).
Q. Along those lines, the atmosphere in New York is really special and unique in tennis. As a player, where’s the line between that incredible energy that makes the US Open special and can be a distraction of the tennis?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I don’t know. For me, it’s not distraction. I’m focused on my tennis. I know how to balance this on-and-off-the-court life of New York. I stay in a great hotel, I eat in a great restaurant all the time.
You mean right here, in the stadium? Oh, no, I enjoy it a lot. I feel like they really support me a lot. I feel like most of the people in the stadium cheer for me.
So they don’t annoy me, even if they a little bit loud during the point. I feel like I got them on my side, and for me is incredible atmosphere. I really enjoy this loud atmosphere in the stadium.
Q. When you smelled the weed, what was your reaction to it? Has that ever happened for you here before?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Come on, Guys. I think there is nothing else to say about weed. I’m just asking people not to smoke it next to the tennis court (smiling).
Q. That’s your first time smelling it, though, when you’ve played here?
ARYNA SABALENKA: That strong, yeah. Also, because it was a bit windy. I don’t know if it was, like, coming from the crowd or was from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium.
I don’t know. I just hope they’re gonna be a bit more aware of that stuff.
More about the weed? Come on, Guys. You were the one who was smoking, maybe?
Q. Must be a good time to watch your matches. People want to enjoy themselves.
ARYNA SABALENKA: I don’t know (laughter). Maybe it’s too fast so they want to slow down a little bit, so who knows. I don’t know the effect from it.
Q. Right about that same time, looked like you were having trouble with the sun also on your serve?
ARYNA SABALENKA: No, no.
Q. You stopped your toss, it looked like, a couple of times.
ARYNA SABALENKA: No, because it was a bit too much. I felt like I have to tell the umpire maybe, like, they can see the person smoking so he can do it somewhere else.
Q. I thought you stopped the serve because of the sun. It was because of the weed?
ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I’m used to the sun, so that wasn’t the problem.
Q. Just the weed, okay. ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah.
Sabalenka will be taking on world No. 96 Taylor Townsend of the United States for a place in the quarterfinals.
“I think I’m ready for the crowd situation. She’s a great player. Coming back after having a baby, that was amazing moment for her.
“She’s, I’d say, tricky player, because she brings the variety, comes to the net, really make you think during the game,” said Sabalenka.
“It’s going to be a great battle.’
Other seeded women advancing on Friday were No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 6 Linda
Noskova, No. 11 Marta Kostyuk, No. 16 Sorana Cirstea, and No. 26 Emma Navarro.
