Arnya Sabalenka halts US open match due to 'someone smoking weed' as statement issued
The United States Tennis Association has been forced to comment after Arnya Sabalenka halted her US Open match to complain about "someone smoking weed".
Sabalenka, who was won the last two editions of the US Open, defeated Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round of the women's singles.
But the contest at the Louis Armstrong Stadium was briefly paused as Sabalenka spoke to her team and informed umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore about the strong smell of marijuana.
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“Someone is smoking weed,” Sabalenka said.
“Would you mind to… because it’s so strong.”
US Open organisers issue statement after Arnya Sabalenka makes marijuana complaint
The umpire dealt with the matter by conversing with a fellow official over the radio and speaking to someone behind her, with a smoking gesture visible.
Play did continue but the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which organises the tournament,, were forced to a statement.
As per the i Paper, the governing body said: “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.
“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 New York, that smoking is not permitted on parks property, including the tennis center.
“We constantly work with the NYPD and Parks Department, and we believe this has helped to decrease smoking near our fenceline.”
World No.1 Sabalenka addressed the matter again after her 6-3 6-4 win in Flushing Meadows, Queens.
She stated: "I was, like, ‘Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please, do 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. I felt like I have to tell the umpire, maybe, like, they can see the person smoking so he can do it somewhere else.
"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 going to be a bit more aware of that stuff.
“Maybe (the match) is too fast so they want to slow down a little bit, so who knows? I don’t know the effect from it.”
She was not the only star to raise the issue. British number one Katie Boulter said that smell was “distracting” and added that she "wouldn’t like to smell in the middle of my match".
Cannabis has been legal in the state of New York for five years, with those over 21 able to possess as much as three ounces of the drug.
However despite the legality, the US Open prohibits smoking of any kind - including cannabis, tobacco and vapes.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka will be hoping the aroma is not present when she returns to the court for her fourth round match.
Josh Lawless