more and more tennis players are accompanied by pets

This year's edition of Roland Garros is almost over. From the singles competition, only the men's semifinals and the finals of the Grand Slam tournament remain to be contested. It was an edition full of surprises, with many favorites eliminated in the early stages of the competition and unexpected appearances in the upper stages of Roland Garros.

Aryna Sabalenka, Marta Kostyuk and Zizou Bergs, among the athletes traveling with dogs

But beyond the duels on the pitch, the players tried to make sure they had as pleasant a stay as possible in Paris. Thus, many of them were accompanied by dogs, which are in as large a number as possible in the precincts of tournaments in the ATP and WTA circuits.

Roland Garros organizers hired Melanie Gauthier Knopp, who is the first dog assistant in the history of this Grand Slam tournament. She was hired to take care of tennis players' dogs during the Paris tournament.

According to The Athletic, among the players who came with puppies to Roland Garros are Anna Kalinskaya (Bella – miniature dachshund), Hailey Baptiste (Oscar – dachshund), Aryna Sabalenka (Ash – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), Zizou Bergs (Copain), Anastasia Potapova (Bula – miniature poodle), Marta Kostyuk (Mander and Chich).

Due to the high number of puppies at Roland Garros, the organizers prepared excrement bag dispensers in the players' area and prepared posters for areas where animals were not allowed.

10dogs received ID cards for Roland Garros 2026

Tennis players praise the impact of dogs on mental health: “It provides a sense of normalcy

Several female tennis players have spoken about the impact dogs have on mental health.

“It keeps me company and relaxes my mind. It's good not to think about tennis all the time. Traveling with her relaxes me,” Kalinskaya said of Bella.

“It's a different atmosphere in the room, you know?”, said Potapova about the moments when she is accompanied by Bula.

“I can understand how it feels, it gives a sense of normalcy and brings a little bit of home. What are they called? Emotional support animals. I think it's valid because we travel so much and then it's like having a little bit of what we love with us,” said Madison Keys, who doesn't have a dog but is very good friends with Jessica Pegula, one of the players who has pets.

“It's only my second year, but I can see that in the circuit you spend a lot of time alone or just you with your team. So it's nice to have someone by your side. A dog is a friend”, stated Joao Fonseca, a player who does not travel accompanied by his dog, he stays with his family.

At the same time, the constant traveling that tennis players have to do comes with some challengesbecause countries have different laws related to pets. Also, some tournaments do not allow dogs to enter the complex where they play. In addition, hotels also have various policies.

However, more and more players choose to have dogs by their side.