Aryna Sabalenka's New Puppy Forces Her to Hide Tennis Gear at Indian Wells
World No.1 tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has disclosed that she must hide her tennis bags and shoes from her new King Cavalier Cocker Spaniel puppy, Ash, while competing at the Indian Wells tournament in California. This amusing challenge comes as Sabalenka juggles significant personal and professional milestones during the prestigious event.
Busy Week for the Top-Ranked Player
Sabalenka announced the addition of Ash to Team Tiger just a day before revealing her engagement to Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, after two years of dating. Both events unfolded in the same week as the Indian Wells tournament, often dubbed 'the fifth Grand Slam' due to its high status in the tennis calendar.
Speaking to Sky Sports after her straight-sets victory over Jaqueline Cristian (6-4, 6-1) on Sunday, Sabalenka remarked, "It's been a busy week, puppy, engagement, huge tennis tournament." She described Ash as a source of joy, calling him "a little cuddly thing", but admitted his chewing habits require vigilance. "No shoes are left out, all my bags are really hidden," she explained.
Puppy Challenges and Training Needs
Despite Ash's good behavior recently, Sabalenka noted he is growing more energetic. "I can see that he is growing and getting crazier and crazier. The other day, he ran from the house. He wanted to play, so I have to be careful, and I definitely need to hire a trainer," she said. On Tuesday, she elaborated further, praising Ash as "the cutest dog, I feel like, on earth" and detailing how her fitness coach initially cared for him in Seattle before his arrival.
Sabalenka highlighted that Ash, nearly four months old, brings "lots of joy and fun, more fun in the team", adding a lighthearted element to her rigorous tournament schedule.
Tournament Context and Past Performances
Indian Wells holds particular significance for Sabalenka, who won the doubles title with Elise Mertens in 2019 but has yet to secure a singles victory. She has lost two of the last three finals at this WTA 1000 event, making her current campaign a focused effort to claim the singles crown for the first time. After her opening win, she is set to face either Camila Osorio or Naomi Osaka in the fourth round.
Fellow Player's Canine Connection
Sabalenka is not alone in balancing tennis with puppy love at Indian Wells. Mirra Andreeva, who defeated Sabalenka in last year's final, has her ultra-mini labradoodle, Rassy, accompanying her. Andreeva shared the stress of being separated from her dog during tournaments, saying, "It's pretty stressful. I haven't seen her for two-and-a-half weeks now... I miss her a lot, and I just wish that she could travel with me to all the tournaments."
This shared experience underscores the personal challenges athletes face while competing at the highest level, blending moments of joy with professional dedication.
