Sabalenka complains about marijuana smell at US Open: 'My matches are too fast, I don't know the effect'

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending US Open champion, surprised the crowd when she stopped her third-round match to complain to the chair umpire about the strong smell of marijuana coming from outside the court. The incident occurred on Louis Armstrong Stadium, where she faced Kamilla Rakhimova. According to reporters on site, Sabalenka tossed the ball twice, approached the umpire, and pointed toward a nearby park where the wind carried the odor onto the court. "I can't focus," Sabalenka told the umpire, as reported by media. "The smell is too strong, it's coming from outside." The umpire quickly contacted organizers, but no immediate action was taken. After the match, the Belarusian laughed it off when asked about the incident: "Maybe my matches are too fast, so I don't have time to know the effect. But seriously, it was very annoying." This is not the first time the US Open has seen complaints about marijuana smell. In 2026, Nick Kyrgios asked the umpire to do something about the "weed smell" from the stands. Maria Sakkari also complained about a similar odor at this tournament. However, Sabalenka's case is unique because the source came from a park outside the venue, making it difficult for the USTA to intervene. USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre confirmed: "We maintain a smoke-free environment throughout the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. When detected, security teams will handle it. However, in this case, no fans smoking were found or ejected." This highlights the limits of the organizers' authority: they can only control inside the grounds, while the smell from a public park is a matter for New York City. Professionally, the incident did not affect the match result. Sabalenka won in straight sets, continuing her title defense. However, it raises questions about how top players prepare for unexpected external factors. In a Grand Slam, every small detail can impact mental performance. For Sabalenka, known for her powerful play and mental toughness, she chose to turn the incident into a humorous story rather than let it affect her form. From a technical analysis perspective, the original article provided no specific data on serve counts, winning percentages, or on-court efficiency. Therefore, it is difficult to assess whether the marijuana smell actually degraded her performance. However, sports psychologists suggest that stopping play to complain can disrupt rhythm, especially for a player whose style relies heavily on emotion like Sabalenka. She has previously acknowledged that focus is key to overcoming tough moments. For the USTA, the inability to control outside odors is a regulatory limitation. If the situation recurs, the tournament may need to consider measures such as moving matches to other courts or working with local authorities to mitigate impact. However, given the low frequency and light reactions from players, policy changes are unlikely. Interestingly, Sabalenka turned an annoying situation into an entertaining moment. Her comment "my matches are too fast" both shows confidence in her ability and indicates she does not take it seriously. In the tennis world, such incidents are often remembered as funny anecdotes, helping relieve tension for both players and fans. In summary, the marijuana smell incident at the 2026 US Open is a minor but notable event, reflecting the off-court challenges top players face. For Sabalenka, she overcame it lightly, reaffirming her status as a strong title contender. Fans can expect more impressive performances from the world No. 2 in the remainder of the tournament.