World number one Aryna Sabalenka paused her US Open third-round match on Friday to alert officials to a strong smell of cannabis on Louis Armstrong Stadium’s court. The top seed, who had taken an early lead against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova en route to a 6-3, 6-4 victory, raised the issue during her second service game.

“Someone is smoking weed,” Sabalenka told umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore as she was serving. She requested attention to the odor, describing it as “so strong” and acknowledging the challenge it posed to maintaining focus on the match.

Sabalenka later commented to reporters that the scent had been noticeable at the tournament before, but not as intensely during play. She attributed the stronger presence on Friday to the windy conditions, which appeared to carry the smell into the stadium. “I don’t know if it was coming from the crowd or from outside because the wind blows it into the stadium,” she said, calling for greater awareness among spectators regarding such distractions.

The issue of cannabis odor at Flushing Meadows is not new, with several players expressing discomfort in previous rounds. World number three Jessica Pegula, competing simultaneously on Arthur Ashe Stadium, also acknowledged the pervasive smell. “It makes it New York,” Pegula remarked, noting the characteristic chaotic and widespread nature of the scent during the tournament.

Tournament officials have yet to comment on measures addressing the issue, but the repeated concerns from top players highlight the challenges posed by such distractions in maintaining optimal competitive conditions at the US Open.