Tennis fans at the Wimbledon Championships are showing support for Aryna Sabalenka after her dog, Ash, was unable to attend the event.
The gesture highlights the emotional bond between the professional athlete and her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. While Sabalenka often relies on the animal for support, tournament rules at the SW19 venue do not allow pets on the courts.
To fill the void, supporters have adopted dog-themed tributes to cheer on the player. In a video shared by the tournament, fans expressed their enthusiasm for Sabalenka and her pet. "Ash can’t be here, but we can bark loud enough for you," the fans said [1].
This absence contrasts with the experience Sabalenka had at another major tournament. Roland-Garros provided one accreditation [2] to Ash as an emotional-support dog. This was a rare occurrence, as the French tournament has issued thousands of accreditations over its history [2].
Despite the lack of a formal pet pass at Wimbledon, the atmosphere in London remains supportive. The presence of dog-themed signs and gestures from the crowd serves as a proxy for the animal's usual presence during Sabalenka's matches.
Sabalenka continues her campaign at the championships while the crowd provides the auditory support usually reserved for her pet. The event remains one of the most prestigious stops on the tennis circuit, maintaining strict guidelines regarding animal access to the playing areas [1].
“"Ash can’t be here, but we can bark loud enough for you"”
The contrast between the accessibility policies at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon illustrates the differing operational standards of Grand Slam tournaments regarding emotional-support animals. While some venues allow specific accreditations for service or support animals, Wimbledon's stricter adherence to a pet-free environment shifts the burden of emotional support to the player's internal team and the cheering crowd.
