Aryna Sabalenka has shared that her new dog, Ash, a King Charles Spaniel, is named in honor of tennis trailblazer Arthur Ashe. The World No. 1 explained the backstory during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. She described Ash as a source of calm amid her strong run in the tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka, the 27-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion, introduced her new companion, Ash, to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden this week. The King Charles Spaniel has joined her on the practice court and during press sessions as she competes in the BNP Paribas Open.
Sabalenka revealed the naming story after her 6-2, 6-4 victory over former champion Naomi Osaka on Tuesday. Speaking on the Tennis Channel, she recounted a promise made to her coach, Anton Dubrov, ahead of last year's US Open. "If she won the major for the second time, she'd get a dog," she explained. She did win the title, fulfilling the deal.
Initially, Sabalenka considered naming the dog Apple, seeking a New York connection to the US Open. However, she opted for Ash—without an 'e'—to pay tribute to Arthur Ashe, after whom the tournament's main stadium is named. This choice ties the pet to the spirit of that victory.
Sabalenka noted Ash's positive impact on her mindset. "He’s a mental health support, you know?" she said. "I feel like I’m much more settled, more calm, more in control. Whenever I feel like going crazy on my team, I just pet Ash and I feel better."
Returning to the WTA Tour after missing the Middle East swing, Sabalenka has not dropped a set in Indian Wells, where she aims for her first title. Her next opponent is Victoria Mboko on Thursday, in a rematch of their Australian Open fourth-round encounter in January, which Sabalenka won 6-1, 7-6 (1).