Aryna Sabalenka's puppy Ash, Anna Kalinskaya's dog Bella, and Anastasia Potapova's toy poodle Bula were among the adorable pets that stole the spotlight at this year's French Open. The tournament even issued official accreditations for the canine companions and introduced a dedicated dog concierge service to cater to their needs.
The singles champions, Mirra Andreeva and Alexander Zverev, also posed with their adorable pets on the court after lifting their respective trophies.
However, those heartwarming scenes will not be repeated at Wimbledon, as the All England Club prohibits pet dogs from entering the grounds, a policy that has prompted a plea from Sabalenka and drawn criticism from Martina Navratilova.
Speaking on the Tennis Channel, journalist Jon Wertheim revealed that Wimbledon's strict ban on pet dogs stems from the UK's pet quarantine regulations and the need to protect the grass on the courts and fields from potential damage.
"What is going on here at Wimbledon? Well, I was given two answers by the club. One is that there are some very strict pet quarantine policies in the UK. Also, the grass is an issue. Not just the grass courts, but the fields. Henman Hill behind us. It does not go well with dogs and grass and public **** es. So, alas, no dogs at Wimbledon," Wertheim said.