Canada's Dabrowski shares cancer battle during Olympic bronze journey

Photo: Instagram/@gabydabrowski

Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski shared on Tuesday that her journey to winning Olympic tennis bronze in Paris was a remarkable achievement, as she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer during the same time. The 32-year-old doubles specialist opened up about her experience in a heartfelt Instagram post.

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In her post, Dabrowski reflected on her diagnosis, saying, "How can something so small cause such a big problem? This is the question I asked myself when I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in mid-April." She reassured her followers that she was doing well and emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, "Early detection saves lives. I can wholeheartedly agree with this."

Dabrowski revealed that she first noticed a lump in her left breast during a self-exam in 2023. At the time, she was told it was not a concern because of its size. However, a year later, the lump had grown, leading her to undergo a biopsy that confirmed her diagnosis. She described hearing the news as life-changing, saying, "Those are words you never expect to hear, and in an instant, your life or the life of a loved one turns upside down."

Despite the diagnosis, Dabrowski continued to excel on the tennis court. Her "surreal" second half of the 2024 season included two surgeries and radiotherapy. She even slightly delayed further treatment to participate in Wimbledon and the Olympics. At Wimbledon, she teamed up with New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe to finish as runners-up. Later, she joined Felix Auger-Aliassime to win the mixed-doubles bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

Dabrowski and Routliffe also capped off the season by winning the doubles title at the WTA Tour Finals in Riyadh. Through it all, Dabrowski chose to keep her journey private, sharing her story only after she had processed everything and found her own way to handle the situation.

Reflecting on her experience, Dabrowski explained how her perspective on life and tennis has changed. She said, "When the threat of losing everything I’d worked for my entire life became a real possibility, only then did I begin to appreciate what I had authentically." Her mindset shifted, and she now approaches her career and life with gratitude. "My mindset shifted from 'I have to do this' to 'I get to do this.' Through this lens, I find it so much easier to find joy in areas of my life I previously viewed as a heavyweight," she said.

The tennis community responded with an outpouring of support. Fellow players like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula praised her strength, with Pegula calling her "effing strong." Her doubles partner, Erin Routliffe, expressed gratitude for being by Dabrowski’s side throughout the journey, saying, "Here’s to more smiling in 2025."
Dabrowski’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of positivity in the face of life’s challenges.

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