A top-10 tennis player said she could smell “weed” on court during her US Open match before suffering a shock defeat.

Maria Sakkari was leading opponent Rebeka Masarova 4-1 in the first set when she signalled to the umpire of the scent, which she would clarify as “weed” in a post-match press conference.

The Greek player complained of the smell saying: “Oh my God… I think it’s from the park”.

She added: “We were practising here yesterday and it was the same”, before quizzically shrugging and wiping herself down.

The number eight seed would go on to lose the match 6-4, 6-4, crashing out of the Grand Slam to Spaniard Masarova ranked 71 in the world.

Sakkari did not attribute her defeat to the smell, however.

Read more:
The ‘Iron Man’ device Djokovic may wear at US Open
Gigi Hadid arrested after cannabis found in luggage

Speaking to the press after the game she said: “It wasn’t the smell that affected the scoring.

“It was just a comment because it was smelling quite a lot, but it has nothing to do with the match.”

She insisted that the smell was “irrelevant” adding that “sometimes it smells food, sometimes it smells cigarettes, sometimes it smells weed, it’s something we cannot control because we are in an open space.

“There is a park behind, people can do whatever they want.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Evidently upset in the press conference, Sakkari clarified that she “did not pay attention” to the marijuana scent after initially detecting it.

Australian player Nick Kyrgios reportedly complained of a similar smell during the tournament last year.

Related posts:

Biden sets new goal of 200 million COVID jabs in his first 100 days in office Biden: No way to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan ‘without chaos ensuing’ Prince Andrew accused of playing game of ‘hide and seek’ – as US judge rules legal papers can be served Stateside Police searching for boyfriend of woman who went missing during couple’s US road trip Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyers question FBI agents at trial about accusers’ ‘inconsistencies’ Ex-police officer carrying fake ‘Department of Interpol’ badge and ammunition arrested at US Capitol Young boy dragged away by bear while playing in grandparents’ garden Jackass star wanted by police Jury selection to start in Donald Trump’s civil rape trial ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ ‘Roll’ Tina Turner dies in Switzerland US Capitol rioter who was pictured with his feet on Nancy Pelosi’s desk is jailed Music mogul Scooter Braun dumped by two more stars – reports