• Aryna Sabalenka interrupted her US Open match after noticing a strong smell of cannabis.
• She humorously suggested that she might "get high" if the smell continues.
• The repeated presence of cannabis odour at Flushing Meadows has been a source of distraction for players.
• Recreational cannabis is legal in New York, but smoking is prohibited within tournament grounds.
• Sabalenka proceeded to win the match against Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets.

During the third round of the US Open, world number one Aryna Sabalenka experienced an unusual interruption, asking the umpire to address a strong smell of cannabis drifting onto the Louis Armstrong Stadium court. Leading 3-0 against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova, Sabalenka alerted the chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore while serving, stating, "Someone is smoking weed," and requested that it be addressed due to the strong smell, which she found distracting, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

After the match, which she won in straight sets, Sabalenka addressed the issue again, humorously commenting that if the smell persisted, she might "get high" herself. She noted, "It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best," adding that she had experienced noticeable cannabis odours in previous tournaments but not as strong as this incident. Sabalenka stated that she finds the smell difficult to ignore while competing, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

Despite the interruption, Sabalenka delivered a powerful performance, not facing any break points and hitting ten aces throughout the match. Recreational cannabis is legal for adults over 21 in New York, although it is prohibited to smoke within the tournament's grounds. This inconsistency raises concerns for players like Sabalenka, who have cited the cannabis smell as a growing distraction during matches, echoing feedback from other players at the venue. The issue has been a frequent topic at the US Open, indicating a cultural change surrounding cannabis use in the area, according to India Times, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.