The dedicated RG team looking after the players in Paris have welcomed a growing trend to allow dogs at some tournaments, not into the draw (now there's a thought), but for companionship and emotional support.

When world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka arrived in Porte d’Auteuil, the 2025 finalist couldn’t quite believe her luck when her dog Ash was also given his very own accreditation.

Anastasia Potapova has had happy paws joining her in the gym, while Anna Kalinskaya’s pooch even snuck into the player's box courtside (on best behaviour, of course).

This year there are 10 dogs in Paris with their own accreditation giving them access to the grounds.

A quarterfinalist this year, Marta Kostyuk juggles life with two dogs on the road and wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The first dog (Mander) is trained to be a service dog and it’s incredible how he manages to pick up that whenever anyone is stressed, like me or my husband, he is really there for us,” Kostyuk told rolandgarros.com.

“I think you feel way more grounded, no matter what is going on in your life, you have to take them for walks, you have to feed them, they are there, they love you no matter what.

“They sleep with us. The little one (Chich), he always sleeps with me in the same spot, he curls around my right shoulder, tucks up round like a croissant, especially with his brown colour! It’s great!”

Belgium's Zizou Bergs echoed that paws-itivity too. He has brought his dog Copain to work with him whenever possible for the past three seasons.  

It comes down to the familiarity these furry friends bring, allowing players to turn off from tennis for a while.

“We have very little time to spend with the dog at home because of the scheduling, the travelling, so when you can it’s very nice to have someone you love with you,” Bergs told rolandgarros.com.

“A dog kinda feels like life at home. Taking care of the dog, to play with, to walk them, just feels like a normal life. Being outside, on walks with him is so valuable to me.

“It lets you switch on and off your mind from the focus. Obviously, being able to do that and to rest up is very important for time away from a tennis court.”

So what is it like backstage with a dog?

Kildine Chevalier, the Players Support and Relations Manager who leads a 160-strong team, has received overwhelmingly positive feedback for welcoming pooches at the tournament.

"The dog accreditations are a bit of fun, it's real but not real, it's a great souvenir," she said. "The players have loved it. They (dogs) need to stay in the players' areas, not the public areas, but within there they can go most places. We try to be flexible with the rules, we ask them to be in arms or in the small dog carry bags. Dogs have gone into the player's box courtside and that's not ideal. It is fine if they do not bark."

The RG team have enlisted two dog walkers too, who exercise the pooches in the morning and afternoon each day. There is also a gate next to the players' area providing access into the park of Bois de Boulogne.

"We adapt all the time," Chevalier said. "For example, Sabalenka is leaving her dog whenever she is playing. If she brings the dog tonight (when she plays Naomi Osaka on Monday), then I'm the dogsitter. Actually, Sabalenka's dog Ash got a massage from our team the other day. He was tired after one of our walks in the park."

No.15 seed Kostyuk is delighted it isn’t too far-fetched for Chich and Mander to feel like they can roam Roland-Garros.

“They join us in the restaurant, in the gym, in the practices. The little one always stays in his carry box, it’s his safe space I guess,” the Ukrainian said.

“Mander always wants to go out, he can easily go and explore without a leash everywhere, he listens to us.

“It’s great to see them grow up with us. A lot of people come up to us and say how well behaved they are – during the matches they are doing really well, they never scream, they just sleep normally.

“All of this just makes our lives easier," she added. "They bring so much joy, they love to play with other dogs, I just think having them consistently around is great."

Bergs agrees.

“We had a platform where we could rent dogsitters (in Paris), who could take them walking. Sometimes my girlfriend stayed with Copain for the day at the hotel, away from site. On practice days at (practice centre) Jean Bouin, we could take him with us,” he said.

“After practice he’s so happy to see me, we can have a good hug together. It was really well arranged.”

Bergs recently took Copain for some tourist time and found a namesake patisserie - snapped by the pup-arazzi (this is the last pun, we promise).

“The day after I lost (singles), we decided to go into the city and with the family, have some lunch and do some shopping. He’s a dog that goes everywhere. When I’m at home he comes to bars, restaurants, whatever I do. He’s pretty much always connected to me.”

With Roland-Garros among several other tournaments giving players the option for their furry friends to join them, it’s hard for those who have to leave them at home.

“Sometimes some countries or some tournaments have a no-pet policy," world No.8 Mirra Andreeva explained. "Sometimes the dog has to stay at home. Whoever stays with the dog, I get the FaceTime, and then I just look at her and say, ‘Hi, look at me,’ but she's never reacting. For some reason, she just doesn't react to any kind of voices on the phone.”

“Me and my agent, we're doing teamwork. He’s obviously checking a lot and trying to sometimes talk with the hotels or with the tournaments to see. He's doing a lot of great work. Credit to him.”