World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has urged Wimbledon officials to reconsider their policy banning pets from the tournament grounds, advocating for the presence of players' dogs to support their mental well-being. This plea comes after the French Open provided a dedicated 'dog concierge' service for competitors' animals.
Wimbledon's chief executive, Sally Bolton, has stated that only service animals and security or search dogs will be permitted within the SW19 venue. However, Sabalenka, who has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Ash accompanying her on tour, believes dogs can be accommodated.
"I don't agree with that!" Sabalenka said when asked about the ban, though she acknowledged potential concerns. "Obviously if the dog does something wrong inside of this historical place, probably going to take a bit of time to replace. They're probably afraid of damages inside."
She countered, "I have to say all of our dogs are very well-trained. They're not going to do anything wrong inside of this beautiful building. We have to change that."
Sabalenka highlighted the emotional support her dog provides, noting the difficulty of leaving Ash alone. "It just sometimes hurts to leave him at the house by himself. He really gets attached a lot. But he suffers staying alone. It really hurts my feelings," she explained. "Going to the park with him, walking around, is also like some sort of meditation for me."
Sabalenka's dog, Ash, has been a consistent presence since she adopted him in the spring, joining her on tour and even being part of her trophy celebration at Indian Wells. Sabalenka has previously credited Ash with helping her manage stress and maintain a calmer demeanor on court.
She is not the only player to travel with a canine companion. Other notable players like French Open winner Alexander Zverev, Anna Kalinskaya, Marta Kostyuk, and Zizou Bergs have also brought their pets on tour. The increasing presence of pets at tournaments led the French Open to implement services like a 'dog concierge' and dog walkers to ensure the animals' welfare during the event.
The All England Club, which organizes Wimbledon, has been contacted for comment regarding Sabalenka's request.