Aryna Sabalenka forced to STOP playing during US Open clash after complaining to umpire about fan smoking weed in stands

ANNOYED Aryna Sabalenka sensationally halted her US Open match to complain about someone allegedly smoking weed on the Louis Armstrong Stadium. Sabalenka, 28, was serving in game three in the first set of her third-round match against Kamilla Rakhimova, who represents Uzbekistan. Aryna Sabalenka sensationally halted her US Open match to complain Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Sabalenka complained about someone allegedly smoking weed at the stands Credit: AFP The match started at 11am local time on the 14,000-capacity stadium, the second-biggest arena on site, which has a retractable roof. Yet the Belarussian, who was 2-0 up at the time, claims she smelt something dodgy as she was continuing her defence of the singles title. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! The World No1 was so disturbed by the smell of what she believed to be marijuana she went over to the umpire. Sabalenka said: “Someone is smoking weed. Would you mind to [tell them to deal with it] because it’s so strong.” The umpire did not warn the crowd but did radio over to an official to pass on the information. It is legal to smoke, vape or ingest cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes in New York State, provided you are 21 or older. Otherwise known as marijuana, weed, pot or grass, it can only be bought at licensed dispensaries but is the second-most commonly used recreational drug after alcohol. At the start of the tournament, some players – including British No1 Katie Boulter – complained about the pungent, unmistakable aroma of joints that wafted over the US Open grounds. Most read in Tennis BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Boulter was eliminated in just 58 minutes – her quickest US Open exit – by Karolina Muchova. It is illegal to smoke on site at the New York Slam, which is staged at Flushing Meadows in the borough of Queens. However, stars have often moaned about the smell on the outside courts, particularly Stadium 17, which is nearest to adjacent Corona Park. Comment now