Unusual Day at US Open: Sabalenka Complains About Cannabis Smell, Alcaraz Changes Gear
Aryna Sabalenka experienced a distraction from the smell of cannabis during her third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open, held at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The world No. 1 brought the issue to the attention of chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, noting the strong odor. Despite this, Sabalenka secured a victory with a score of 6-3, 6-4, hitting 10 aces in the process.
The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the tournament takes place, is a smoke-free venue, and Sabalenka expressed her discomfort with the smell while competing. She mentioned that the wind might have carried the odor into the stadium. This incident marks the first time she has raised such a concern during a match, although other players have previously commented on similar experiences.
In a separate match, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz addressed a wardrobe issue that had garnered attention. After wearing a loose-fitting tank top in earlier rounds, he opted for a fitted vest underneath his shirt during his third-round match against Yibing Wu, which he won 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Alcaraz noted that the change was his own decision and felt more comfortable with the new attire.
