Martina Navratilova’s Dog Denied Dinner: Coach Calls Café Policy Ridiculous!

Wimbledon Village, London, UK - In a rather unexpected turn of events at Wimbledon, tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who boasts an impressive record of 18 singles Grand Slam titles, found herself at the center of a social media storm after being denied entry to the Ivy Cafe in Wimbledon Village due to her pet dog, Lulu. This incident occurred while Navratilova, currently a commentator for the BBC, was enjoying the 138th installment of the prestigious tournament.

On July 9, Navratilova shared her experience online, expressing her disappointment over being unable to dine with her well-behaved pet. Her predicament caught the attention of former ATP pro and Coco Gauff’s ex-coach, Brad Gilbert, who took to social media to slam the cafe’s policy, boldly stating that „dogs are better behaved.“

Support from Fellow Tennis Stars

The tennis community rallied around Navratilova following her unfortunate dining snub. Both Andre Agassi and Gilbert voiced their disdain for the cafe’s decision, further emphasizing the ridiculous nature of the policy. Navratilova defended Lulu in response to a fan’s comments, assuring that Lulu would have been resting quietly on the floor during dinner.

This experience hasn’t overshadowed Navratilova’s broadcasting duties, as she has been providing insightful commentary on the ongoing matches at Wimbledon for the past ten days. During her commentary, she took a moment to reflect on her own historic performances, contrasting her triumphant 1978 Wimbledon win over Chris Evert with her later loss to Conchita Martinez in the 1994 final—a match she humorously declined to delve into during a commentary exchange.

Wimbledon: A Storied Tradition

Established in 1877, Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, as detailed by The Sports Reviewer. What began as a Gentlemen’s Singles event, attracting around 200 spectators, has transformed into a grand affair, now featuring Ladies’ Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Over the years, Wimbledon has been a witness to iconic moments, marked by innovations such as the introduction of the tie-break system in 1971 and the construction of the Centre Court roof in 2009.

The gathering has seen some of the greatest names in tennis history grace its courts, with Navratilova holding the record for the most titles by a female athlete—nine in total. This milestone is part of a legacy that includes legends like Roger Federer, who tops the men’s leaderboard with eight titles, and Serena Williams, who shares the honor with Pete Sampras, each boasting seven titles.

As Wimbledon 2025 unfolds, the traditions continue, complemented by a strict all-white dress code for players and the timeless elegance of grass courts. This year’s tournament reflects the spirit of tennis, where the court serves not just as a battleground for victory, but also as a stage for camaraderie, nostalgia, and unexpected incidents like Navratilova’s, which remind us that even in elite sports, sometimes the ordinary can provoke extraordinary reactions.