NEW YORK — Gaby Dabrowski could barely contain her excitement as she watched Taylor Townsend’s lob gracefully sail over her head at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, eagerly anticipating its descent.
When Townsend’s shot drifted just beyond the baseline, it was a definitive moment: The Ottawa native Dabrowski had once again triumphed, claiming her second US Open women’s doubles title with partner Erin Routliffe.
This victory came two years after they first lifted the trophy together, in their debut tournament as a team. This time, the duo—Canadian by birth but representing New Zealand—defeated the top-seeded powerhouse of American world No. 1 Townsend and Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova, securing a 6-4, 6-4 win.
“Erin, what a wild ride,” grinned Dabrowski during her on-court interview. “It’s been absolutely surreal… Thank you for your unwavering support, and yes, we rock on together!”
Rock on, indeed! The duo proudly accepted their trophy, raising it high in celebration, along with a hefty $1 million prize cheque.
As the tournament’s third-seeded duo, they showcased remarkable skill and agility in a match that had fans on their feet, complete with thrilling rallies.
Dabrowski’s recent journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. She revealed last December that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2024. Despite undergoing radiation and two surgeries during the season, she and Routliffe reached the Wimbledon final, secured a mixed doubles bronze medal with Felix Auger-Aliassime, and made history as the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title. It’s a story that transcends sports.
It was Routliffe who clinched the championship point with a powerful backhand, prompting Dabrowski to throw her arms in celebration. The crowd, though primarily cheering for hometown favorite Townsend, created such a buzz that the umpire had to ask for silence. On championship point, Dabrowski delivered a stunning lob, forcing Townsend to respond with a long shot, sealing the match.
In that moment, Dabrowski leaped for joy, embracing Routliffe and exclaiming, “Oh my god,” as she soaked in the atmosphere while Coldplay’s Something Just Like This echoed through the stadium.
“You played phenomenal tennis,” Townsend told the crowd, expressing gratitude for what she deemed one of the best audiences she’d ever competed before.
Dabrowski and Routliffe initially made waves by winning their first-ever tournament together here in 2023, marking the beginning of their Grand Slam women’s doubles journey, and Friday’s victory marks their second.
The duo stormed out with aggressive intent, securing an early break for a 4-2 lead in the first set. After a brief setback, where Routliffe was broken while trying to serve out the set, they quickly retaliated, capitalizing on their second set point to claim the opener.
In the second set, they jumped ahead with an early break to take a 2-0 advantage. Townsend and Siniakova found their footing, leveling the set after a double fault from Dabrowski, but the resilient pair fought back, ultimately securing the decisive break to seal their championship.
The duo came into New York as third-seeded competitors, riding a wave of confidence following their triumph at the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati just weeks prior—marking their second title of the season.
