‘Someone is smoking weed’: Sabalenka halts US open match due to cannabis smell

The Guardian UK Friday 04 September 2026, 21:32 UTC By Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 1 min read

Key Points

‘It’s tricky to handle when you’re trying to compete’Alcaraz into fourth round after straight sets victoryAryna Sabalenka briefly stopped her match at the US Open to complain about the strong smell of cannabis on her court as she comfortably reached the fourth round in New York. Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, continued her attempts to rebuild her form as she overcame a challenging test from Kamilla Rakhimova before winning 6-3, 6-4.

‘It’s tricky to handle when you’re trying to compete’
Alcaraz into fourth round after straight sets victory

Aryna Sabalenka briefly stopped her match at the US Open to complain about the strong smell of cannabis on her court as she comfortably reached the fourth round in New York.

Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, continued her attempts to rebuild her form as she overcame a challenging test from Kamilla Rakhimova before winning 6-3, 6-4.

Sabalenka (LOCATION) US (LOCATION) compete’Alcaraz (ORG) the US Open (EVENT) New York (LOCATION) Kamilla Rakhimova (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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‘Someone is smoking weed’: Sabalenka halts US open match due to cannabis smell

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