Aryna Sabalenka Discusses Complaint Over Marijuana Smoke During 2026 US Open Win vs. Rakhimova

Early in her third-round win over Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open on Friday, Aryna Sabalenka paused the match to complain about the smell of marijuana in the stadium.

She said afterwards that it wasn't just faint, but as strong as she had ever smelled the odor.

"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," Sabalenka said, per the Associated Press. "I don't know. I just hope they're going to be a bit more aware of that stuff."

Sabalenka approached the chair to discuss the smell, but no fans were found to be smoking in the stadium, meaning it likely came from outside the grounds.

The two-time defending US Open champ said she has no issue with people smoking outside of the stadium, but encouraged fans to take it far away from where games are being played.

"I was like, guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please, to not do it around the tennis courts," Sabalenka said when asked what she was thinking during the match. "It's a bit tricky to handle that smell while you're trying to compete at your best."

Nonetheless, Sabalenka cruised to a win, 6-3, 6-4, and she was able to joke about the situation afterwards.

"Maybe it's too fast so they want to slow down a little bit, so who knows," she said. "I don't know the effect from it."