Aryna Sabalenka literally stopped her US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova, not for a time-out or injury, but because of a strong cannabis smell wafting across the court. The top seed, cruising along 3-0 in the first set, told umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore straight up, “someone is smoking weed”, asking for intervention because “it’s so strong.”
Weed Stops Play? Yep, It’s a Thing Now
That’s right, folks, a tennis match in New York got paused because the air got a little too… *herbal*. Umpire Asderaki-Moore radioed an official, even made a smoking gesture behind her, then play continued. Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, wasn’t letting a little smoke mess with her game for long. She quickly closed out a confident 6-3, 6-4 victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium, keeping her eyes firmly on a fifth Grand Slam singles title.
Not the First Time at Flushing Meadows
This isn’t some isolated incident either. Apparently, Flushing Meadows has been smelling a bit like a Cheech and Chong movie set this year. Britain’s Katie Boulter called it distracting just last week, and Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones also picked up the scent. Even big names like Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev have complained in previous years. While smoking isn’t allowed on site, the smell often drifts in from nearby Corona Park. And yep, it’s legal to smoke cannabis in New York for adults 21 and over, which probably explains why it’s such a common complaint. Sabalenka’s power game was on full display, dropping only four points on serve in that opening set. Rakhimova put up a fight in the second, but Sabalenka got the crucial break for 5-4 and then served out the win safely. She smashed 10 aces and didn’t even face a break point.
This victory pushed Sabalenka to her 16th straight win at Flushing Meadows. She’s aiming to be the first woman since Serena Williams, who pulled off the hat-trick from 2012-2014, to do the same. Next up for the 28-year-old? She’ll face either American Taylor Townsend or Russia’s 15th seed Diana Shnaider. Shnaider actually beat her in the French Open quarter-finals back in June, so you know Sabalenka is going to be ready for that one. This chase for history is intense, even with unexpected aromatherapy!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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