World No. 1
The incident occurred early in the match while Sabalenka was serving during the third game. The two-time defending champion twice abandoned her service motion after tossing the ball, clearly unsettled by the scent. She eventually approached the chair umpire to address the issue, noting that the smell was particularly potent and disruptive to her focus on the court.
Addressing the court-side disruption
Reflecting on the moment during her post-match press conference, the top seed expressed her frustration with the environment. While acknowledging that spectators are free to relax, she emphasized that the presence of the odor made it difficult to maintain the concentration required for high-level competition. She noted that she was unsure if the scent originated from within the stadium or was being carried in by the wind from outside the grounds.
The issue of marijuana odors at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is not unprecedented, with players such as Nick Kyrgios and Maria Sakkari having raised similar complaints in previous years. The proximity of a public park to the tournament site is frequently cited as the potential source of the smell. In response to the situation, U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre stated that while the organization cannot control activities occurring off-site, they remain committed to enforcing a smoke-free environment within the facility. Security teams are instructed to intervene if they identify individuals smoking on the grounds, reminding them that such activity is prohibited on the property.
Despite the mid-match interruption, Sabalenka was able to regain her composure and close out the victory. She later joked about the incident, suggesting that the intensity of her performance might be prompting fans to seek ways to slow down the pace of the match. The world number one continues her campaign in New York, having successfully managed both her opponent and the unusual external conditions.
