Dabrowski and Routliffe's Bond Strengthens Despite Wimbledon Loss

Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe's Wimbledon run ended in the quarter-finals, but their partnership remains strong. They lost a closely contested doubles match to Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. This was the first time they faced the duo, with Mertens holding multiple Grand Slam doubles titles.

The match saw Dabrowski and Routliffe start strong with an early break, but their opponents responded, eventually winning the first set. The second set also saw an early break for the Canadian and Kiwi pair, but it went to a tiebreak, which Kudermetova and Mertens won. The victors had a significant advantage in winners and aces.

Routliffe acknowledged the quality of their opponents and the tight nature of the match, highlighting the missed opportunities. Despite the loss, the pair's off-court bond is a key factor in their continued partnership.

Unlike many doubles teams that frequently change pairings, Dabrowski and Routliffe have remained together for nearly two years, focusing on doubles play. Their bond deepened last year when Dabrowski was diagnosed with breast cancer. Routliffe, aware of the diagnosis, supported her partner's return to the court.

Their partnership has seen impressive results, including a win at the WTA Finals last November. Dabrowski later shared her cancer story publicly. Routliffe emphasized the strength the experience brought to their relationship.

Dabrowski has recovered from surgery and radiation treatment, with regular check-ups. Her main physical challenge leading into Wimbledon was a rib injury. Following the match, Dabrowski humorously noted the impact of the painkillers.

Despite not advancing as far as last year, they found positives in their Wimbledon performance. Routliffe highlighted their good matches and expressed hope for a rematch. They plan to compete together at the National Bank Open in Montreal and the U.S. Open.

Dabrowski is currently focused on her tennis but has become a resource for other players dealing with family members battling cancer. She offered a message of early detection and self-advocacy to women.