Meet the Adorable Four-Legged 'Player' Stealing Hearts at Roland-Garros This Year
Roland-Garros, aka the French Open, has issued thousands of accreditations over its long history to champions, coaches, officials and journalists. This year, the tournament gave one to a Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Ash.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player from Belarus and last year's finalist, brought her dog to Paris for emotional support.
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The moment he arrived with his own official tournament pass, Ash became one of the most talked-about personalities at the French Open. He didn't earn that title on the court, but by following Sabalenka around.
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Ash isn't new to the tennis world. Aryna has brought the little spaniel with her before, and even posed with him when she won the Miami Open title in March this year.
Named After a Legend
The story of how Ash came into Sabalenka's life begins with a bet. Before she competed at the US Open last year, she made a deal with her coach, Anton Dubrov: winning a title would mean she could finally get a dog.
She initially considered naming him Apple, paying tribute to New York City's famous nickname. However, the little spaniel didn't look like an apple. So, she chose Ash, a nod to Arthur Ashe, the legendary American tennis player.
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Why Sabalenka Says Ash Is Her Secret Weapon
Ash is not a player, a coach or a ballboy. But he has become impossible to ignore. In an interview with the Tennis Channel, Sabalenka talked about his calming influence, saying, "He's a mental health support, you know. 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."
The Role of an Emotional Support Dog
Cavalier King Charles spaniels are widely considered one of the best emotional support dog breeds. They were bred for doing exactly what Sabalenka needs.
Originally bred as lap dogs for European royalty, they have a long history of providing human companionship. Their size makes them easy to hold, and their temperament makes them easy to trust.
Ash might not return a serve or read a second-serve pattern. But he can sit in Sabalenka's lap between matches, and that may be just the edge she needs to win in Paris.
Right now, the best tennis player in the world believes her most important support has four legs. As she tries to win one of the Grand Slam titles still missing from her collection, all eyes will be on her game. Her small spaniel companion, wearing an official tournament badge, may be the one who pushes her there.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 1:48 PM.