Sabalenka’s secret to staying cool? Meet Ash, her furry coach

Aryna Sabalenka , the world No. 1 , is not just making waves on the tennis court, she’s finding comfort in a tiny companion. After her round-of-16 victory over Naomi Osaka at the BNP Paribas Open, Sabalenka brought her new dog Cavalier named Ash , to a post-match interview on the Tennis Channel.

“I feel like I'm much more settled, calm, more in control ,” she said, as Ash sat quietly on her lap while commentators petted him. Known for her fiery on-court temperament, Sabalenka credits her puppy with helping her manage stress and stay focused . “Whenever I feel like going crazy on my team, I just pet Ash , take a few deep breaths, and I feel better,” she explained. Stroking her dog helps her relax, lower tension, and regain mental clarity .

Ash is now part of Team Tiger , her close-knit group of coaches, trainers, and staff. Sabalenka had promised herself a dog if she won last year’s U.S. Open. Though she initially considered a Dachshund, she chose a spaniel—a breed her mother once owned. “ Super attached, super chill, super cute, super cuddly ,” she said of Ash.

Even the name has meaning. Sabalenka wanted a nod to New York and the U.S. Open, settling on Ash in tribute to Arthur Ashe , the legendary American tennis player and civil rights icon.

With victories piling up at Indian Wells, her recent engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis, and a loyal puppy by her side, Sabalenka seems to have found the perfect blend of personal joy, professional focus, and emotional balance .