Ex-tennis star wants US Open ban enforced after Aryna Sabalenka outcry

Greg Rusedski has called for the US Open’s smoking ban to be enforced after Aryna Sabalenka complained of smelling cannabis on court.

The smell of weed around Flushing Meadows has become a growing an issue this week, and prompted two-time defending champion Sabalenka to halt play in her latest third-round victory.

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After going 3-0 up in the first set against Kamilla Rakhimova, the Belarussian stopped abruptly and spoke to her team.

She then alerted the chair umpire to the odour that was drifting into Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.

Sabalenka told match official Eva Asderaki-Moore: “Someone is smoking weed. Would you mind? Because it’s so strong.”

Asderaki-Moore then spoke to an official on her radio and made a smoking gesture to someone behind her, before play continued.

The disruption to play didn’t manage to affect Sabalenka though, as she went on to win a hard-fought match 6-3 6-4.

What complaints have been made at the US Open over cannabis?

The smell of weed at Flushing Meadows has become a hot topic in recent years, with Nick Kyrgios previously leading the complaints.

Cannabis is legal in New York and while the US Open prohibits all smoking, vaping and other electronic smoking devices on site, it can be smelled around tournament grounds.

Other players have joined Sabalenka in raising the issue at the Grand Slam – including Britain’s Katie Boulter – who complained that the smell of cannabis was putting her off her game at the US Open.

After her victory, Sabalenka admitted she struggled to focus due to the odour, and hoped this would be better dealt with in future.

Laughing, she said in her press conference: “I was, like, ‘Guys, you can do whatever, you can smoke whatever, you can relax as much as you can, but please, do not do it around the tennis courts.’

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“It’s a bit tricky to handle that smell while you’re trying to compete at your best.

“[The smell was] that strong, yeah. Also, because it was a bit windy. I don’t know if it was, like, coming from the crowd or was from the outside because the wind blows it into the stadium.

“I don’t know. I just hope they’re going to be a bit more aware of that stuff.”

Rusedski calls for stronger rules

With Sabalenka the latest player to complain about the smell of cannabis at the US Open, former British No.1 Greg Rusedski has called for a stricter enforcement of the rules in New York.

Speaking on his Off Court podcast with talkSPORT, the 1997 US Open finalist insisted the issue is damaging the Grand Slam’s reputation.

He said: “In New York City it’s legal to smoke weed. You can have it in your possession. 

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“From my personal point of view, I don’t like it. I don’t think it puts a good image for the city in my opinion.

“On top of that, at a sporting event, what does that say to kids if you got that smell and stench around?

“I think the US Open should be a no smoking zone, whether it’s cigarettes, whether it’s weed. I mean, this is an athletic competition.”

Continuing to call for stricter enforcement of the rules, Rusedski insisted the US Open must take a stronger stance over its no smoking policy.

He continued: “I don’t understand how the USA can’t get together with the mayor of New York City and say, ‘Look, guys, we don’t want this at our venue and we don’t want this for the image of tennis.’

“I’m not sure if you’re allowed to do that at the American football games and baseball and all those other sporting events.

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“Maybe you are, but I just don’t think that sits together with sport and I can understand the players point of view.

“I don’t like the smell of it. I don’t like it around that environment and I think they’ve got to do something about it. 

“I agree with Boulter. I agree with Sabalenka. It has no right, I believe, to be at the US Open, to be at majors, to be at tennis tournaments. 

“It’s the wrong image. It’s the wrong message. Yes, society’s opened up in that respect. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but that’s just my view.”