Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka stops US Open match over alleged marijuana smell
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat discusses the health implications of marijuana use after tennis star Aryna Sabalenka halted a match at the U.S. Open due to the suspected smell of marijuana. She also looks at the trends in marijuana and alcohol usage and potential health risks associated with them on ‘Fox Report.’
Let’s be honest—this situation is unfortunate.
Ben Shelton had a shot at breaking a 23-year streak without a Grand Slam title for American men’s tennis, but Alexander Zverev overcame him with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 to claim the U.S. Open, marking his second Grand Slam title this year.
American men’s tennis had a golden chance, yet Shelton emerged as a promising talent for spectators. While it wasn’t a victory, it’s still a significant step forward for a sport that’s been on the hunt for a new star.
Ben Shelton’s nerves cost him in the U.S. Open final
From the beginning of the match, Shelton seemed a bit anxious. The opening game made it clear this could be a rough day for him.
He made two errors that led Zverev to an early break point before he double-faulted, handing over the break at the game’s start. This shaky start resulted in the first set going to Zverev, 6-3, after Shelton double-faulted again at set point.
The second set stayed competitive until the tiebreak, where it unraveled for Shelton. Zverev quickly surged to a 5-0 lead and sealed it at 7-2.
Throughout the match, Zverev didn’t completely dominate, which made Shelton’s difficulties all the more frustrating. He repeatedly found himself in positions to capitalize on Zverev’s serve, only to falter with forehand errors or misjudged shots.
Most of the time, Shelton showcased his talent—his power, creativity, and athleticism were impressive. It was exciting to witness his skill set, especially as he executed phenomenal serves exceeding 140 mph. His potential was evident, making it clear he’s not just another player with a powerful serve.
However, inconsistency hindered his quest for that first Grand Slam win.
Zverev maintained solid gameplay and capitalized on Shelton’s mistakes. He served well, remained steady, and played the waiting game, taking advantage when Shelton gave away points. Zverev’s prior experience at the French Open this summer clearly helped him in this high-stakes match.
Still, Shelton didn’t fade easily.
He finally earned his first break point of the match while Zverev served at 2-3 in the third set, but Zverev countered that. However, after holding his own, Shelton struck again when Zverev served at 5-6. He seized the moment, going up 0-40, and turned his second set point into a win after Zverev mishandled a volley.
This gave Shelton a glimmer of hope, but trouble soon arose again. He started the fourth set leading 30-0 only to falter with a double fault and another forehand error that opened the door for Zverev. After saving one break point with a smart serve-and-volley play, he eventually lost the break and never reclaimed it.
Zverev broke Shelton once more at 4-2, closing out the match decisively. A lighthearted moment occurred right at the end, where Zverev seemed momentarily confused, thinking further play was required after a Shelton shot went long. Realizing he had won, he couldn’t help but smile and celebrate.
On the other hand, Shelton, visibly frustrated, held back emotions as he shook Zverev’s hand.
American men’s tennis let the opening slip away
This was the moment they had been waiting for.
With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrawing due to a knee injury and Novak Djokovic losing in the first round, Shelton managed to pull off a stunning victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinal that finished at 3:33 AM.
With those giants out of the way, Shelton was directly responsible for ending one of the toughest hurdles.
But Zverev proved to be a tough opponent, having won the French Open in June and reached the Wimbledon final. Going into the match, he had a flawless record against Shelton in their previous encounters.
Now, the 29-year-old has two major titles under his belt.
In the last three decades, only seven other men have secured multiple Grand Slam wins within the same calendar year: Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Sinner. Talk about some serious company.
Zverev’s legacy is more complicated outside of the court, given the domestic abuse allegations from two former partners, both of which he has denied. An ATP investigation into one set of claims concluded in 2023, finding no substantial evidence, while a separate case in Germany settled in 2024 without any admission of guilt.
Yet, on the court, he has decisively silenced any debates regarding his capability to handle a Grand Slam final, having proven his merit in Paris and now in New York.
However, Shelton’s opportunity was genuinely within reach. American men’s tennis has not seen a Grand Slam victory since Andy Roddick in 2003, having gone through seven finals without a win since then. Roddick alone faced four of those losses, while Agassi, Taylor Fritz, and now Shelton have each experienced one defeat in their finals.
The path to breaking that drought could not have been clearer, yet it remains untraveled, resulting in another disappointment.
Ben Shelton made this run about America and God
Curiously, ESPN swiftly turned Shelton’s journey into a conversation about race.
After his semifinal victory, they posted, “It’s more than just Ben Shelton’s first U.S. Open Final,” noting he was the first Black American man to reach the U.S. Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. While this was true historically, Shelton himself didn’t pivot his narrative towards race.
Instead, he focused on being an American, which was, after all, what mattered most to him.
Throughout the tournament, Shelton has been vocal about his Christian faith, his family, and his patriotism. After his win in Australia this year, he had even signed a camera with “USA ’til it’s backwards.”
Following his victory over Alcaraz, he emphasized his gratitude and faith, saying, “I’m just so grateful, so blessed. God’s blessed me in so many ways.” He reiterated similar sentiments after a Montreal win earlier that summer, stating, “I would be nowhere without my faith. That’s what’s most important to me.”
During his semifinal against Frances Tiafoe, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, he acknowledged the sacrifices made by his parents and dedicated his victory to his late grandmother, urging the New York crowd, “We’re going for it here. Do this for the USA.”
Before exiting the court, Shelton, without being prompted, extended his thoughts and prayers to the families affected by 9/11, calling New York one of the world’s greatest cities.
That’s the Ben Shelton America has witnessed over the past couple of weeks.
He’s a dynamic player—powerful yet emotional and undeniably entertaining. His love for family, open discussions about his faith, and pride in representing his country endear him to fans.
Yet, let’s be clear: losing a Grand Slam final isn’t the same as winning one—this distinction isn’t lost on Shelton himself. He faced the opportunity that American men’s tennis had awaited for over two decades, but he couldn’t seal the deal.
Regardless, his tournament run stands as a significant milestone, not just for him but for American tennis as a whole.
He bested Carlos Alcaraz and reached his first Grand Slam final. Even when faced with the prospect of defeat against Zverev, he kept battling and pushed the match into a fourth set. Shelton showcased the resilience, faith, and patriotism that makes American sports fans excited to follow him.
While Shelton didn’t bring home a trophy on that Sunday, he certainly established himself as a tennis star worth watching in the future.
