World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka makes unexpected Wimbledon plea: ‘Let the dogs inside’

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has urged Wimbledon to reconsider its rule that prevents players from bringing their dogs onto the tournament grounds. Speaking after her second-round win over McCartney Kessler on Wednesday, Sabalenka said she understands the reasons behind the policy but believes well-trained pets should be allowed at the Championships.

Her comments come just weeks after the French Open introduced special services for players’ dogs, including a “dog concierge” and dog walkers. Sabalenka, who recently adopted a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Ash, said the puppy has become an important part of her daily life and helps her manage stress during the demanding tennis season.

Aryna Sabalenka says dog Ash helps her stay calm on tour

When asked about Wimbledon’s no-dogs policy, Sabalenka made it clear that she would like to see a change.“I don’t agree with that!” she said with a smile before explaining that she could understand why officials might be worried about possible damage at the historic venue.Still, the Belarusian star insisted that most players’ pets are well-trained and would not cause problems.“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 said.

She then spoke about her bond with Ash and why leaving him behind during tournaments is difficult.“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 little fluffy thing that always wants a cuddle and love.”Sabalenka added that spending time with her dog has become a form of relaxation.“Going to the park with him, walking around, is also like some sort of meditation for me.”She ended her appeal with a direct message to tournament organizers: “Wimbledon, please, I beg you, let the dogs inside.”According to Daily Mail Sport, Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton recently confirmed that only service dogs and security or search dogs are allowed on site during the tournament.

Coco Gauff backs limits on dogs at Grand Slam tournaments

Not every player shares Sabalenka’s view. World No. 7 Coco Gauff said she loves dogs but believes there should be restrictions on where they are allowed during tournaments.“I love dogs. I definitely think there’s a place and time for them,” Gauff said after her win over Solana Sierra.The American explained that busy areas such as gyms and locker rooms may not be suitable places for pets because of safety concerns.“I definitely think in the gym where there’s already 50 million players doing a million different things,” Gauff said. “There’s been times where I almost stepped on somebody’s dog, almost threw a medicine ball at someone’s dog.”She also said food areas should probably remain pet-free for cleanliness reasons.However, Gauff added that she would not mind seeing dogs in other parts of tournament grounds.The discussion comes as more tennis players travel with pets throughout the season. Ash has accompanied Sabalenka to several tournaments this year, including Indian Wells, Miami and Madrid. The puppy even joined her trophy celebrations after her Indian Wells title run.Sabalenka has previously credited Ash for helping her stay emotionally balanced. During an interview with Tennis Channel earlier this season, she said, “Whenever I feel like going crazy on my team, I just pet Ash and I feel better.”With more players bringing pets on tour, the debate over whether Grand Slam venues should welcome them appears far from over.