Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and several other tennis players sent support to Lindsey Vonn after she announced that her pet dog, Leo, had passed away. The alpine skier shared that her dog had been dealing with lung cancer and a heart issue.
Vonn is currently recovering from a complex leg fracture that happened as a result of her crash at the Winter Olympics, and she has already undergone four surgeries. She recently returned to the United States from Italy, where she will undergo more surgery.
Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Others Comfort Lindsey Vonn After Death of Dog
Vonn shared a post on Instagram on Wednesday, revealing that her dog passed away earlier this month. The 41-year-old said that the last few days have been “probably the hardest” of her life, with her heartbreaking crash and the death of her dog.
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“Leo has passed away and joined Lucy and Bear up in heaven. This has been an incredibly hard few days. Probably the hardest of my life. I still have not come to terms that he is gone… As I layed in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy. I had lost so much that meant something to me in such a short amount of time. I can’t believe it,” Vonn wrote on Instagram.
“My boy has been with me since my second ACL injury, when I needed him most. He held me on the sofa as I watched the Sochi Olympics. He lifted me up when I was down,” she added.
The tennis community sent messages of support to Vonn, with Gauff, Pegula, Caroline Wozniacki, and Shelby Rogers all commenting under the post.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Gauff wrote.
“Aw Linds! I’m so sorry! Sending you so much love,” former tennis player Rennae Stubbs commented.
Gauff has taken part in a number of community events over the years to help raise awareness and support rescue dogs up for adoption.
Gauff’s 2026 Season So Far
It has been a mixed season so far for Gauff, who came close to leading Team USA to another United Cup title. But the American team lost to Poland in the semifinals despite the 21-year-old’s win over Iga Świątek in the tie.
At the Australian Open, Gauff looked solid but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Elina Svitolina.
Gauff was then handed a shock defeat in straight sets by Elisabetta Cocciaretto at the Qatar Open. She returned to winning ways in Dubai against Anna Kalinskaya, but found herself up against it in the third round against Elise Mertens. As of this writing, the two players were tied at one set apiece ahead of the decider.
