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· collected 2026-09-04 · by Matt Reigle
Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka stopped her third-round US Open match on Friday in Queens because the strong smell of marijuana was overwhelming, and she asked the umpire if someone could be told to stop smoking it. The match took place near local dispensaries that are reportedly delivering cannabis to tennis fans, with one manager saying it makes tennis "a little more entertaining" when you're high. Sabalenka won the match despite the disruption, but this incident highlights the ongoing issue of marijuana smoke affecting athletes at the US Open. According to the article, players have had to deal with this problem for years since weed was legalized in New York City.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one tennis player from Belarus, interrupted her match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the US Open on Friday due to a strong smell of cannabis in the air. During the second service game, Sabalenka told umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, "Someone is smoking weed. Do you mind? Because it's so strong." Despite the distraction, Sabalenka went on to win the match 6-3, 6-4. She later stated that she was not objecting to anyone enjoying themselves, but asked for the smoking to be kept away from the court. The smell of cannabis has become a common issue at Flushing Meadows, where smoking is not permitted inside the grounds.
Written for “Sabalenka US Open Disruption” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 3903 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-04
The US Open is developing a reputation for debauchery, and on Friday, things got so bad that tennis star Aryna Sabalenka stopped a match because, apparently, the stadium smelled more like weed than your neighbor’s van with the Dio album cover airbrushed on the side.
asserted
stadium → develop → side
The Belarusian was taking on Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova in a third-round match Friday in Queens.
asserted
Belarusian → take → Queens
However, during the match, she was seen saying something to the crowd and then approached umpire Eva Asderaki‑Moore.
asserted
she → see → Asderaki‑Moore
"Someone is smoking weed," Sabalenka could be heard saying. "Do you mind?
uncertain
you → smoke → weed
Because it’s so strong."
asserted
it → ’ → ?
Sabalenka went on to win the match — despite the threat of a contact high — but it brings the US Open's weed problem under the microscope again.
asserted
it → go → microscope
This has been a running thing for a few years now, ever since weed was legalized in New York City.
asserted
weed → run → City
Players have had to battle through the stench of bubonic chronic in the vicinity of some courts.
asserted
Players → have → courts
However, this year, according to The New York Post, local dispensaries are even delivering some sticky icky to tennis fans.
uncertain
dispensaries → accord → fans
"You get high, it makes [tennis] a little more entertaining," Tre Davidson, a manager at a nearby dispensary, Silk Road, told the outlet.
asserted
Davidson → get → outlet
So, weed has the same effect on tennis that it does on Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" and Cheech & Chong's entire body of work.
asserted
it → have → work
The more you know...
asserted
you → know → more
Having a good time is one thing, but when it starts impacting those who do not wish to take part in your puff-puff-passing — namely the athletes — then maybe it's time to put it out.
asserted
it → have → it
Clear out the smoke so that athletes can suck down some of the crisp, clean New York City air during their match.
asserted
athletes → clear → match
Meanwhile, fans can still get stoned out of their gourd to make tennis more interesting or to make them wonder what would happen if you crossed a pizza with a Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme.
asserted
you → stone → Supreme
