Highlights: Sinner, Djokovic and Sabalenka march into third round
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Wimbledon has many customs and traditions, but one of the biggest stars performing at the iconic venue for this year’s tournament has asked that one particular rule be relaxed.World No. 1 Sabalenka, like a number of other pros on the tour, brings a companion with her on tour – her pet dog Ash.
Sabalenka, who is set to play Jelena Ostapenko in the third round, was first pictured with her puppy at Indian Wells in March, and has since travelled with it around the European clay-court swing, and now to SW19.
But the All England Club’s policy is to not allow dogs inside the venue – and that is something Sabalenka is finding hard to accept.
“I don’t agree with that,” Sabalenka said. “I can understand why they made this decision.
“Obviously if the dog does something wrong inside of this historical place, it’s probably going to take a bit of time to replace. They’re probably afraid of damage inside.
“I have to say all of our dogs are very well-trained. They’re not going to do anything wrong inside this beautiful building.
“We have to change that. 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.
“It’s just like a little fluffy thing that always wants cuddles and love.
“Going to the park with him, walking around, is also like some sort of meditation for me.
“Wimbledon, please, I beg you, let the dogs inside.”
Coco Gauff is one player who has sounded a note of caution, however.
Gauff does not travel with a dog, and while admitting she “loves” them, thinks there are some practical realities to take into account, citing a near-miss last year.
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with the Butch Buchholz trophy and her dog Ash after winning the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 28, 2026
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“I love dogs,” she said. “I definitely think there’s a place and time for them. I do love them.
“This [Wimbledon] is also different because this is held at a club, which I don’t think they allow dogs anyways in general. So I respect the rules.
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine celebrates with her dog after beating Emma Raducanu at the Madrid Open last year
Image credit: Getty Images
“But I definitely think there are certain places dogs shouldn’t be for safety reasons, like the gym and the locker room, where sometimes I see dogs. Like I say, I love dogs, but I definitely think there’s a time and place.
“I wouldn’t mind them around the site, but I just definitely think, because there’s been times where I almost stepped on somebody’s dog, almost threw a medicine ball at someone’s dog.
“You don’t want to hurt an animal. I definitely think in the gym where there’s already 50 million players doing a million different things.
“Last year, I don’t want to call out the player, but someone threw a medicine ball at me. If I was a little dog, that would freaking hurt. In the gym, no. In the locker room, no. Maybe in the food areas no, because of cleanliness.
“Everything else, go ahead, be free, run around with your dog. I definitely am someone who when they’re in the gym, I feel a bit nervy because there are a lot of them. There have been close calls.”
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