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Aryna Sabalenka interrupts US Open match due to cannabis smell
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka briefly interrupted her US Open third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova due to a strong smell of cannabis at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. While leading 3-0, Sabalenka alerted chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to the odor, stating, ‘Someone is smoking weed. Do you mind? Because it’s so strong.’
Following the interruption, Sabalenka secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory. In post-match comments, she noted that while she has no issue with personal choices, the smell makes it difficult to compete at the highest level. She suggested the odor might be drifting from the nearby Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, where recreational cannabis use is legal for adults over 21, despite being prohibited within the tournament grounds.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) issued a statement noting that while they cannot control activities off-site, they maintain the facility as a smoke-free environment and work with the NYPD and Parks Department to enforce these rules. This issue has been noted by other players in the past, including Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev.
Entities
Aryna Sabalenka · Eva Asderaki-Moore · Kamilla Rakhimova · Louis Armstrong Stadium · US Open · US Open · United States Tennis Association
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sabalenka defeated Kamilla Rakhimova with a score of 6-3, 6-4. www.sportti.com · khelnow.com · www.sportbible.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sabalenka stated that while cannabis use is legal in New York, it should not be done around the tennis courts. www.sportti.com · khelnow.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The USTA maintains that the tennis center is a smoke-free environment and they work with the NYPD and Parks Department to manage smoking near the facility. www.sportbible.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Aryna Sabalenka reported a strong smell of cannabis during her match at the US Open. www.sportti.com · khelnow.com · www.sportbible.com · www.marca.com