05.07.2026 17:40
Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one tennis player competing at Wimbledon, fought an emotional battle to bring her dog to the camp but couldn't overcome the organizers' pet ban.
Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka, who tops the world rankings in women's tennis, is making headlines not for her performance on the court but for her emotional struggle against a strict Wimbledon rule.
UNABLE TO BRING HER DOG TO THE TOURNAMENT
The famous tennis player, who lives in Miami, USA, and has amassed a great fortune with her achievements, practically begged to bring her beloved dog to the tournament but hit a stern wall from the organizers.
"MY HEART IS BREAKING"
Sabalenka, who wanted the All England Club, where Wimbledon is held, to relax its pet ban, made a heartfelt appeal to the officials. The star athlete, stating that leaving her dog alone at home deeply upsets her, said, "I can understand the concerns behind the decision. My heart breaks when I leave him alone at home. He is very attached to me and suffers in my absence. Going for a walk with him is like meditation for me."
REJECTION: "OUR POLICY IS CLEAR"
Despite Sabalenka's emotional appeal and insistence, there was no step back from the Wimbledon side. In a statement on the matter, the Wimbledon CEO stood by the tournament's strict rules, saying, "We only allow authorized guide dogs and security search dogs into the facilities. We are always in contact with our players and do not think this will turn into a crisis. This is our clear policy that we have applied for years and it will not change."