US Open 2026: Cannabis Smell and Noise Disrupt Players Again

The 2026 US Open once again witnessed a rare but not new incident: Aryna Sabalenka had to stop the match midway to complain about the smell of cannabis drifting onto the court. The incident occurred when she was leading 3-0 in a set, during the opponent's second service game, with the score at 30-0. Instead of focusing on the point, Sabalenka turned to the umpire and expressed her discomfort with the pungent odor coming from outside the stands or the nearby public park. The former world number one is not the only one to speak out. Over the years, big names such as Martina Hingis, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari, Casper Ruud, and Katie Boulter have all complained about the same issue. At previous US Opens, the smell of cannabis from Flushing Meadows Park drifting onto the courts has become a recurring topic, especially when the wind picks up. Strong winds make the smell spread faster, affecting more courts, with Court 17 the most notorious, where players have complained many times. Analysis of the incident shows that Sabalenka's actions took place when she had a clear advantage, making her decision to stop may have affected the server's psychology more than her own. Right after talking to the umpire, Sabalenka continued playing and won the next two sets, showing that the incident did not change the outcome of the match, but it shows how unpredictable the impact of the outside environment can be. For organizers, umpires have the power to intervene if the smoke comes from within the tournament grounds, but they are almost powerless when the source comes from an adjacent public park. The season's final Grand Slam is located in an open area, where controlling smoke and smell is a luxury. This is not a tactical, technical, or personal form issue, but a structural risk involving venue, weather conditions, and legal regulations. Still, the cannabis story at the US Open raises questions about fairness during competition. Players with higher sensitivity, such as Sakkari, have reacted strongly, while many others see it as something unavoidable. Experts suggest that practical measures such as buffer zones or closer cooperation with city authorities are needed to solve the problem at its root. Otherwise, the US Open will continue to face distracting incidents that overshadow the tournament's professionalism. As of now, Sabalenka remained calm enough to win, but the issue is not just about one match. The fact that Court 17 has repeatedly become a hot spot for cannabis smells over the years shows a gap in organization. In the wave of reaction from fans and professionals, the smell of cannabis and noise at the 2026 US Open will surely remain a topic of discussion, demanding more practical solutions in the years to come.