Cannabis Smell Disrupts Sabalenka at US Open; She Beats Rakhimova, Faces Townsend Next

Tennis fans are used to matches decided by serves, returns, or break points. But sometimes, it is a smell in the air that leaves the strongest impression. Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending US Open champion, just went through a surreal moment in the third round when the scent of cannabis drifted from the stands onto the court at Flushing Meadows. During her match against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova, the Belarusian suddenly stopped and walked to the chair umpire after reaching the back of the court. She said the smell of smoke, carried by the wind, was bothering her and affecting her focus. Images of Sabalenka complaining with a shrug quickly spread on social media. Remarkably, Sabalenka did not seem tense. In the post-match press conference, she joked: “I felt like I was getting high, but I had to keep playing. Cannabis is legal in New York, but the court is probably not the right place to enjoy it.” Her playful response showed that she did not treat the incident as a major issue while gently asking tournament organizers to ensure wind does not blow such odors into the playing area. The most important thing is that she still completed the match according to plan. Sabalenka beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round in a match that lacked detailed statistics on serving or winners. Despite the absence of deeper data, the steady scoreline allowed her to extend her streak of not dropping a set at this year's event. For a champion chasing a third consecutive title in New York, that is a reliable signal. From an analytical perspective, non-competitive incidents like cannabis smells are usually one-off occurrences and lack enough basis to predict performance in later rounds. The real story of this match lies in Sabalenka's psychological adjustment. She did not panic, did not lose her rhythm, and even turned a nuisance into a humorous line. That speaks to the composure of a player accustomed to Grand Slam pressure. A bigger challenge awaits Sabalenka in the fourth round: she will face Taylor Townsend, an in-form home favorite playing amid strong American crowd support. The noise at Louis Armstrong Stadium could be much louder than the smell of weed. The question is how well Sabalenka can maintain focus in such a hostile atmosphere. Can a two-time champion buckle under the pressure of a partisan crowd? The match will answer with numbers, but based on what she has shown, Sabalenka is following the right path as a leading title contender.