For Gabriela Dabrowski, the thrill of victory is still sweet, but it no longer defines her existence as it once did.
After facing cancer last year, the act of wielding a tennis racket has transformed into something far more profound.
“Tennis isn’t the top priority in my life anymore,” Dabrowski reflected. “If it were taken away from me tomorrow, I’d be upset, but if I’m healthy, that’s truly what matters most.”
“There are far greater challenges in life than simply winning a match.”
Last December, the 33-year-old doubles ace from Ottawa shared her courageous journey of undergoing two surgeries to fight breast cancer, a battle that began with her diagnosis in April.
With only a select few friends and family aware of her struggle, Dabrowski went on to win a mixed doubles bronze medal for Canada alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Paris Olympics and clinched the WTA Finals title with her long-time partner, Erin Routliffe.
Returning to the court after her surgeries, each serve and volley felt like a gift.
“Every moment was like, ‘Wow, this is so different from before when I felt the need to maximize every ounce of potential,’” Dabrowski expressed in a video interview from Ottawa, where she received the key to the city. “Now, my motivation comes from joy, not obligation, which has shifted my entire perspective.”
“Though losses still sting, they don’t cut as deep as they once did, and wins are incredibly rewarding, especially when shared with those who supported me through my journey.”
Dabrowski and Routliffe triumphed at the 2023 US Open and reached the Wimbledon finals last year.
As they gear up to compete in the National Bank Open’s women’s doubles tournament starting Sunday in Montreal, it marks the No. 8-ranked Dabrowski’s first match on home soil since unveiling her story.
Although she’s managing the side effects of radiation, surgery, and ongoing hormone therapy, Dabrowski credits her medical team for keeping her fit through proper nutrition, rest, training, and recovery.
With greater emphasis on alleviating jet lag—an issue that affects her more than before—she’s making necessary adjustments as she navigates the demanding, travel-intensive season.
This year has proven particularly challenging, as a rib injury sustained in February has sidelined her more than her cancer ordeal did.
Despite these challenges, she and Routliffe captured victory at the Stuttgart Open in April, although Dabrowski later had to withdraw from several tournaments, including the French Open in May, before making her return for Wimbledon.
As the second-seeded pair, they exceeded expectations, narrowly losing to the eventual champions, Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova, in a closely contested quarterfinal match.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in recent months, considering all I’ve been through,” Dabrowski noted, acknowledging she’s currently playing at about 80% capacity. “I’m focused on balancing my healing process with ramping up my training without overdoing it.”
“Even if I’m not at peak performance heading into the National Bank Open, I still have a week to build up my training, and practicing with Erin will certainly help since she’s match ready. I’m okay with that!”
Looking ahead, Dabrowski hopes to partner with Auger-Aliassime for the US Open mixed doubles tournament in August, though she’s unsure of her chances. They are among 25 teams listed, with only 16 spots available.
Many top tennis stars, including Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, have also entered the revamped tournament, which will occur before the singles matches and features a $1 million prize.
The eight teams with the highest combined singles rankings will automatically qualify, while the USTA will select an additional eight, leaving the possibility of sidelining some doubles specialists like Dabrowski.
“That kind of reduces it to an exhibition,” Dabrowski commented on the format. “I appreciate the increased prize money; that’s fantastic. Still, if top doubles players aren’t participating in that draw, I question if it can be labeled as a mixed doubles championship worthy of a Grand Slam trophy.”
