The green wrist tattoo and rescue pack behind Elise Mertens
Before every serve, Elise Mertens looks at a green tribute on her wrist, a reminder of her beloved collie Bo and the shelter dogs waiting at home.
Before every service motion she begins on tour, Elise Mertens takes a brief pause, bounces the ball, and catches sight of a small green marking inked onto her left wrist. I find that subtle pre-serve moment one of the most endearing rituals in professional tennis. Tension fades instantly.
We often expect touring athletes to derive their competitive focus purely from trophies, ranking points, and match statistics. For Mertens, that green ink represents something far more personal: a permanent tribute to her late collie, Bo, whom she affectionately calls her soulmate and childhood companion.
A reminder of hope at the service line
Mertens chose green ink specifically because she considers green to be the color of hope and renewal. Hope matters deeply. Bo was by her side during her formative years on local Belgian junior courts, offering loyal companionship through the demanding early stages of her tennis development.
When she raises her left arm to toss the ball into the air, that green tribute serves as an emotional compass. In high-pressure tiebreaks or critical break points on packed stadium courts, the visual cue brings immediate perspective and calm. It reminds her of the quiet life and loyal animals waiting back home in Belgium. The serve feels lighter and more natural.
Tennis can be a lonely sport where solitary pressure builds over three-set marathons. Having a tangible symbol of unconditional love right on her serving wrist anchors her thoughts in what truly endures. Winning is wonderful, but family and loyalty come first.
A loving shelter pack in Hamont-Achel
Her passion for four-legged companions extends well beyond childhood memories. At her home in Hamont-Achel, near the Dutch border in northeastern Belgium, Mertens shares her daily life with a lively pack of rescue and shelter dogs. Over the years, her countryside residence has become a true haven for adopted pets needing safety, healthy food, and patient care. Home awaits.
Her pack includes various breeds and mixed-breed dogs, each bringing their own distinct rescue background and playful personality to the household. Whether she is preparing for the red clay courts of Paris or the grass of London, returning to her garden in Hamont-Achel provides an irreplaceable sanctuary. The gentle energy of her dogs creates a peaceful refuge between demanding swings on the international calendar.
Whenever she returns home with tournament silverware, she celebrates by placing the trophies on the floor so her rescue pack can sniff and inspect them with wagging tails. Dogs do not judge. She frequently notes that dogs do not care about rankings, prize money, or unforced errors; they simply offer unconditional warmth after weeks of intense hotel living and international flights.
Caring for a large pack requires time and routine. Walking the dogs through local Limburg woodlands provides active recovery between tour tournaments. The physical chores of feeding and grooming keep her grounded in simple, rewarding rhythms far removed from media press conferences and airport terminals.
Advocacy for therapy dogs and shelter adoption
Mertens actively channels her public platform into animal welfare initiatives across Europe. She serves as a proud ambassador for Therapy Dogs vzw, a Belgian non-profit organization that trains dogs to provide emotional and therapeutic support in hospitals, pediatric centers, and care homes. Their mission brings real comfort to patients facing difficult health challenges.
She also partners with animal protection campaigns to encourage shelter adoption over commercial breeding. She frequently speaks about the quiet joy of giving rescue animals a second chance at a happy, loving home. I admire how naturally she blends elite sports excellence with genuine compassion for vulnerable animals, proving that a grounded life off court makes a champion all the stronger on it.
We learn something valuable from that quiet balance. True joy does not live only under stadium lights; sometimes it is wagging its tail warmly on the living room floor.
Sources
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