Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski achieved remarkable milestones in 2024, including becoming the first Canadian to win the WTA Finals alongside New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe in November. Earlier in the year, she secured a mixed doubles Bronze Medal at the Paris Olympics with Félix Auger-Aliassime. Unbeknownst to many, Dabrowski accomplished these feats while battling breast cancer, a diagnosis she received in April 2024.
Dabrowski publicly disclosed her diagnosis on December 31, 2024, emphasizing the significance of early detection. She first noticed a lump in her left breast during a self-exam in 2023, which was initially dismissed by a doctor. By spring 2024, as the lump grew, further examinations during a WTA physical led to a confirmed diagnosis. She underwent two surgeries at the Mayo Clinic, followed by radiation therapy. Despite her health challenges, Dabrowski continued to compete at the highest levels, delaying some treatments to participate in Wimbledon, where she reached the finals, and the Olympics, fulfilling a childhood dream by winning a medal.
“I know this will come as a shock to many, but I am okay and I will be okay,” Dabrowski wrote. “Early detection saves lives. I can wholeheartedly agree with this.”
The Diagnosis and Treatment
Dabrowski shared that she first discovered a lump in her left breast during a self-exam in 2023, but an initial doctor dismissed it as benign. By spring 2024, as the lump grew, a WTA physical prompted further investigation. A mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy confirmed her cancer diagnosis.
“These are words you never expect to hear, and in an instant, your life or the life of a loved one turns upside down,” Dabrowski shared.
Her treatment included two surgeries, radiation, and starting endocrine therapy. At times, her recovery left her unable to raise her left arm high enough to serve. Despite this, Dabrowski delayed further treatment to compete at Wimbledon–where she reached the finals–and to fulfill a lifelong dream of winning an Olympic medal.
A Historic Year on Court
Dabrowski’s 2024 season was her best yet. In addition to the Olympic bronze and WTA Finals victory, she earned the title of Tennis Canada’s women’s doubles player of the year and climbed to No. 3 in the world doubles rankings.
Reflecting on her Olympic medal, Dabrowski said, “Winning an Olympic medal was a childhood dream come true. I grew up watching the Olympics, and it was a huge part of our family… It felt like the culmination of years of blood, sweat, and tears.”
Her partnership with Routliffe was particularly meaningful, as the duo not only thrived on court but also supported one another through challenges. Routliffe praised Dabrowski’s resilience, writing, “A great reminder that you have no idea what people are going through. Here’s to more smiling in 2025.”
Now, Dabrowski is better equipped to handle her treatment and side effects and says she feels empowered by her journey. “Early on in my diagnosis, I was afraid of cancer becoming part of my identity forever. I don’t feel that way anymore. It is a privilege to be able to call myself a survivor.”
Dabrowski’s 2024 season was remarkable not just for her on-court achievements but for the resilience she demonstrated in overcoming her health challenges. Her journey is a testament to the power of early detection, determination, and gratitude in facing adversity.
As Dabrowski herself said, “To cancer, I say, fu*k you, but also, thank you.”
Main Photo Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
