Since WTA world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka showed off her Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy, AshAt tennis world, fans are wondering what made her get a dog and where her name came from.
Sabalenka, newly engaged, visited the Tennis chain office with Ash after an impressive straight-sets victory over Naomi Osaka, in only the second career meeting between the two, and the first since 2018.
MORE: Mirra Andreeva, reigning Indian Wells champion, loses her composure in defeat
Ash is Sabalenka’s lucky charm. She has been undefeated since her adoption.
How Sabalenka discovered the name Ash
Aryna Sabalenka said she had an agreement with her coach Anton Dubrov that if she won the US Open last fall, she would get a dog.
Of course, the world saw Sabalenka being crowned champion in New York and she knew a dog was in her future.
MORE: The Real (Pathetic) Reason Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez Didn’t Play Doubles at Indian Wells
Because a US Open victory depended on the deal, Sabalenka chose to name her puppy after something or someone connected to New York.
Ash
pic.twitter.com/5ImJmT5yVg
– News Aryna Sabalenka (@Sabanewsss) March 2, 2026
Ash’s namesake is American tennis legend Arthur Ashe. Sabalenka chose to remove the silent e in the spelling of her puppy’s name.
Aryna Sabalenka is the first WTA player to reach the quarter-finals of Indian Wells
Sabalenka played exceptional tennis at Indian Wells this year. This tournament changed his life off the field because she got engaged to her long-time boyfriend Georgios Frangulis before stepping onto the field for her first match.
New hardware unlocked
#TennisParadise | @SabalenkaApic.twitter.com/Msv1fMDu5G
– BNP Paribas Ouvert (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 4, 2026
She is the first player to advance to the quarter-finals and is desperate to add a BNP Paribas Open title to her tally, a title that has eluded the two-time finalist.
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4 in their fourth round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Sabalenka awaits the winner of the round of 16 between Victoria Mboko and Amanda Anisimova. Their quarterfinal match will be played Thursday at a time to be determined.
Look at it BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells until March 15 on Tennis Channel.
—Get free coverage of top news and trends on The Big Lead—
NFL:The biggest winners from day one of NFL Free Agency 2026
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC:Randy Arozarena slams Cal Raleigh after he refused to shake hands at WBC
NBA:Adam Silver sends message after canceling Hawks’ ‘Magic Monday’ promotion
PARALYMPIC GAMES:The medal standings for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games from March 10
VIRAL:Wasserman Agency Reveals New Name, Cancels Disgraced Founder
The position Aryna Sabalenka explains why she named her puppy Ash appeared first on The big advance.
