The defending US Open champion showed her softer side this week when a tiny rescue puppy stole her heart at Flushing Meadows. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka couldn’t resist making an emotional plea to fans, asking them to help convince her team to let her adopt the adorable companion she met during Fan Week activities.
What Message Did Aryna Sabalenka Share With Fans After Meeting the Puppy?
Sabalenka arrived at the 2025 US Open as the reigning champion and tournament favorite, preparing for her eighth main draw appearance in New York. The tournament begins on August 24, but she’s been busy during US Open Fan Week, where players interact with fans, participate in exhibitions, and engage in community activities.
However, the highlight of her week came in an unexpected form. A puppy meet-and-greet became an instant love connection that melted hearts across social media. A video shared by her longtime racket sponsor, Wilson, on Instagram captured the magical moment Sabalenka cradled a tiny rescue puppy in her arms.
When someone behind the camera asked her what the dog’s name was, she smiled and replied, “Wilson. It’s the actual name. And he chose me.” The serendipity of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone, given Wilson’s sponsorship of the Belarusian star.
The connection was so strong that Sabalenka appealed to her social media. Reposting the clip to her Instagram stories, she wrote: “Guys please help me to convince my team to adopt this sweetheart.”
The plea showed a different side of the typically fierce competitor, revealing the heart behind the powerful baseline game that has made her one of tennis’s most dominant forces.
How Will Sabalenka Balance Puppy Dreams and Title Defense?
While Wilson, the puppy, captured her attention, Sabalenka still had serious business to handle on the courts. The Belarusian tennis star enters as the top seed at the US Open and will face Rebeka Masarova in the first round.
This marks their second meeting on the WTA Tour, with Sabalenka winning their only previous match in straight sets in the 2025 Berlin Tennis Open second round. The winner of this opening match will face either Polina Kudermetova or Nuria Parrizas-Diaz in the second round.
The defending champion’s path through the tournament will be closely watched, especially as she tries to become the first woman since Serena Williams to defend her US Open title successfully.
MORE: Aryna Sabalenka Spotted on Court in New York As She Gears Up for US Open Title Defense
Sabalenka isn’t the only top player who’s fallen for rescue puppies at recent tournaments. A similar touching moment unfolded at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, when ATP World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was introduced to a puppy brought to the event by the city’s animal welfare organization, SPCA Cincinnati.
Sinner and his coach, Darren Cahill, were clearly charmed by the pup, Ardin, and spent time cuddling with it. A few days later, Sinner discovered that a volunteer security guard at the tournament had adopted the dog and renamed it “Jannik.” The top-ranked player’s reaction to the news was one of pure joy.