RismadarVoice Reporters
4 September 2026
World number one Aryna Sabalenka briefly interrupted her US Open third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova after complaining about what she described as a strong smell of marijuana coming from the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The defending champion stopped play while serving at 30-0, signalling concerns over the odour during the match. Officials addressed the situation before play resumed.
Despite the interruption, Sabalenka maintained her focus and went on to defeat Rakhimova in straight sets to continue her title defence at the tournament.
The Belarusian player, who entered the match as the favourite, secured victory after overcoming the disruption and advanced to the next round of the Grand Slam competition.
The incident added another unusual moment to this year’s US Open, as players and officials continue to deal with various challenges during matches at the tournament.
