TennisSabalenka pauses US Open match over marijuana smell from park: 'Extremely intense' - Lesson for tennis venues

Sabalenka pauses US Open match over marijuana smell from park: 'Extremely intense' - Lesson for tennis venues

Core: Sabalenka paused her US Open third-round match due to marijuana smoke from Corona Park, leading to her complaint and temporary stoppage, then a straight-sets win 6-3 6-4 over Rakhimova. Key facts: Incident at 3-0 lead in first set; marijuana legal for adults 21+ in NY; common issue at Flushing Meadows; first complaint for Sabalenka; cross-tour examples include Djokovic and Zverev. Source: Provided stage-1 analysis | Cross-checked: N/A. Related Q&A: How did the disruption affect Sabalenka's performance? Minimal impact, as she closed the match strongly. Why is US Open vulnerable? Urban park setting next to venue. What broader issue does this highlight? Legalization of cannabis impacting elite outdoor sports.

The stadium was silent, but I could feel the heartbeat of an entire generation. In the middle of Louis Armstrong Stadium, where cheers usually filled the air, a strange moment of silence occurred at the 2026 US Open. World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka had to pause her third-round match against No. 86 Kamila Rakhimova because of the pungent smell of marijuana coming from the adjacent Corona Park. Sabalenka told the umpire that the smell was 'extremely intense', forcing her to stop and let the air clear. The match was on hard courts, where Sabalenka led 3-0 in the first set, and she won 6-3, 6-4 despite the interruption.

Sabalenka pauses US Open match over marijuana smell from park: 'Extremely intense' - Lesson for tennis venues

Sabalenka pauses US Open match over marijuana smell from park: 'Extremely intense' - Lesson for tennis venues

Sabalenka pauses US Open match over marijuana smell from park: 'Extremely intense' - Lesson for tennis venues

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