Tennis legend Martina Navratilova was denied entry to The Ivy Cafe in Wimbledon, England, because she was accompanied by her pet dog, Lulu. The 18-time Grand Slam champion shared a photo of herself standing outside the restaurant with Lulu resting in a bag slung over her shoulder.
Navratilova, who is in London as part of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage team, indicated that she had to make alternative dining arrangements. “Well—tried to have dinner at the Ivy at Wimbledon, but they won’t allow Lulu into the restaurant—so plan B,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). According to a subsequent post, she went to Cent Anni, an Italian restaurant nearby, where she had pasta.
Online reactions and divided opinions
Her post attracted widespread attention, accumulating over a million views and generating a mix of support and criticism. While some users applauded Navratilova’s restraint in not using her celebrity status to override the rules, others defended the restaurant’s no-pet policy.
One user commented, “Ew. People, please stop trying to take your dogs where people purchase and eat food. Thank you.” Navratilova responded, “She is on the floor. Get over it.” The user replied further, “No thanks.
Dog fur flies through the air, landing in food and causing allergic reactions.
Dogs don't cover their mouths when they sneeze.
Dogs smell.
Dogs attack each other and are more difficult to control when the owner is eating and food is around.
Why do YOU think most health departments forbid bringing dogs into restaurants?”
Support for staff and calls for exceptions
Another commenter praised the restaurant staff for treating all customers equally. “Well done to the staff that must have had tremendous pressure on them to make the rules apply to everyone, knowing full well who you are,” the user wrote. Navratilova responded by stating that the staff had no idea who she was.
Some users questioned whether a more flexible approach should have been taken. “You are such a class act… how many people who aren’t nowhere near as legendary as you are would have tried to pull rank?” one post read. Another said, “Martina cannot be in? Because of Lulu? @Wimbledon please fix this. Martina should be allowed in any place of this universe where the word tennis is recognised…”
Establishment policy and broader debate
The Ivy Cafe, part of a well-known restaurant chain, typically enforces a no-pets policy. As of now, the establishment has not released an official statement regarding the incident.
Navratilova, who is in London as part of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage team, indicated that she had to make alternative dining arrangements. “Well—tried to have dinner at the Ivy at Wimbledon, but they won’t allow Lulu into the restaurant—so plan B,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). According to a subsequent post, she went to Cent Anni, an Italian restaurant nearby, where she had pasta.
Online reactions and divided opinions
Her post attracted widespread attention, accumulating over a million views and generating a mix of support and criticism. While some users applauded Navratilova’s restraint in not using her celebrity status to override the rules, others defended the restaurant’s no-pet policy.
Well- tried to have dinner at the Ivy at Wimbledon, but they won’t allow Lulu into the restaurant- so plan B pic.twitter.com/mpNzsepgBx
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) July 8, 2025
One user commented, “Ew. People, please stop trying to take your dogs where people purchase and eat food. Thank you.” Navratilova responded, “She is on the floor. Get over it.” The user replied further, “No thanks.
Dog fur flies through the air, landing in food and causing allergic reactions.
Dogs don't cover their mouths when they sneeze.
Dogs smell.
Dogs attack each other and are more difficult to control when the owner is eating and food is around.
Why do YOU think most health departments forbid bringing dogs into restaurants?”
No thanks.
— Jeanna Hoch (@JeannaHoch) July 8, 2025
Dog fur flies through the air, landing in food and causing allergic reactions.
Dogs don't cover their mouths when they sneeze.
Dogs smell.
Dogs attack each other and are more difficult to control when the owner is eating and food is around.
Why do YOU think most…
Support for staff and calls for exceptions
Another commenter praised the restaurant staff for treating all customers equally. “Well done to the staff that must have had tremendous pressure on them to make the rules apply to everyone, knowing full well who you are,” the user wrote. Navratilova responded by stating that the staff had no idea who she was.
Some users questioned whether a more flexible approach should have been taken. “You are such a class act… how many people who aren’t nowhere near as legendary as you are would have tried to pull rank?” one post read. Another said, “Martina cannot be in? Because of Lulu? @Wimbledon please fix this. Martina should be allowed in any place of this universe where the word tennis is recognised…”
Establishment policy and broader debate
The Ivy Cafe, part of a well-known restaurant chain, typically enforces a no-pets policy. As of now, the establishment has not released an official statement regarding the incident.
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