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'Let the Dogs in': Sabalenka Wants Wimbledon to Lift Ban
Aryna Sabalenka said Wimbledon should relax its no-animals rule, noting Roland Garros has allowed pets and provided a dog concierge.
On Wednesday, world number one Aryna Sabalenka urged the All England Club to reverse its ban on players bringing dogs to Wimbledon, describing the policy as hurtful to her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy Ash.
Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton confirmed before the tournament that only service and security dogs are permitted on the AELTC Premises to protect the grounds from potential damage.
The French Open, by contrast, creates a welcoming environment for pets, even providing a 'dog concierge' service at Roland Garros where players like Mirra Andreeva and Marta Kostyuk recently brought their dogs into player areas.
Coco Gauff noted safety concerns, revealing she has nearly injured pets at tournaments, stating, 'I definitely think in the gym where there's already 50 million players doing a million different things.'
Despite the tournament's stance, Sabalenka insists her well-trained dog provides essential emotional support and 'meditation' during stressful tournaments, though Wimbledon has no plans to endorse such a policy currently.