Tennis stars are going to the dogs—literally! But here's where it gets heartwarming: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and rising talent Mirra Andreeva are bringing their furry friends into the high-stakes world of professional tennis. Sabalenka recently introduced the newest member of her team: Ash, a King Cavalier Cocker Spaniel puppy who’s already stealing hearts on social media. In a post that went viral, Sabalenka gushed, 'Team Tiger has a new addition. Everyone meet Ash 🥹♥️,' instantly capturing the attention of dog lovers and tennis fans alike. Ash even made an appearance at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden ahead of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, proving that this pup is already living the Tennis Paradise dream.
And this is the part most people miss: Sabalenka’s bond with Ash is more than just cute photos. She shared with the press how Ash brings 'lots of joy and fun' to her team, describing him as 'a little fluffy thing that is so cuddly.' The puppy, almost four months old, was initially with Sabalenka’s fitness coach, Jason Stacy, in Seattle before joining her squad. This addition comes as Sabalenka returns to competition after a tough loss to Elena Rybakina in the 2026 Australian Open final and a right-hip injury that sidelined her from the Middle East swing.
Meanwhile, Andreeva, who defeated Sabalenka in last year’s BNP Paribas Open final, is also embracing the dog mom life with her adorable puppy, Rassy. Here’s the controversial part: While Rassy couldn’t join Andreeva for the Australian swing, she made her season debut at Indian Wells, tagging along for practice sessions. Andreeva openly admits how challenging it is to be apart from her furry companion, telling wtatennis.com, 'It's pretty stressful... I miss her a lot.' This raises the question: Should tennis players be allowed to bring their pets to tournaments for emotional support? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Both players are set to compete at this year’s BNP Paribas Open, with byes into the second round. Sabalenka, nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards alongside Amanda Anisimova, could face Anisimova in the quarterfinals, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament. As for Andreeva, she’s no stranger to making history—last year, at just 17, she became the youngest player in 40 years to defeat both the World No. 1 (Sabalenka) and No. 2 (Iga Swiatek) in a single WTA event, securing her second WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells.
But here’s the real question: Can these dog moms balance their furry responsibilities with the demands of elite tennis? And will Ash and Rassy become the ultimate good luck charms for their owners? One thing’s for sure: Tennis Paradise just got a whole lot cuter. What do you think—are pets a welcome addition to the tour, or a potential distraction? Sound off below!
