Gabriela Dabrowski: Wimbledon doubles finalist reveals breast cancer treatment
Wimbledon doubles finalist Gabriela Dabrowski has revealed she had breast cancer surgery earlier this year, and is undergoing further treatment as she challenges for the sport’s biggest prizes.
The 32-year-old Canadian, a three-time major champion, was diagnosed in April.
“I feel blessed to be alive,” world number three Dabrowski wrote in an Instagram post.
After two surgeries and a three-month break from the WTA Tour, she returned to win the Nottingham grass-court title with New Zealand’s Erin Routliff in her first tournament appearance.
Four weeks later, the pair reached the Wimbledon final where they lost to Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.
Dabrowski delayed further treatment to be able to play at the All England Club and represent her country at the Paris Olympics, then underwent radiation therapy before the US Open in late August.
Despite battling fatigue as a result of treatment, Dabrowski reached the quarterfinals in New York with Routliff.
She also began hormone therapy before ending the season on a “highest note” by winning the WTA Finals title with Routliffe.
“This all feels surreal,” wrote Dabrowski, who said she is now sharing her story to help other women facing similar treatment.
“If you’ve seen me smile more on the court in the last six months, it’s been surreal.
“My cancer diagnosis was the catalyst for more sustained change.
“When the threat of losing everything I had worked for my entire life became a real possibility, that’s when I began to authentically appreciate what I had.”
