Australian Open women's doubles stars Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe experienced a comical moment during their first-round match when a wayward serve from Dabrowski struck Routliffe on the head. Despite the initial shock, the pair handled the situation with humor, ultimately winning the match against Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk. This incident occurred amidst Dabrowski's recent revelation about battling cancer throughout the previous year.
Australian Open women's doubles No.2 seeds Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe are renowned for their exceptional synchronization on the court. Last year alone, they achieved remarkable feats, including winning the WTA finals, reaching the Wimbledon final, advancing to the semi-finals at the Australian Open , and clinching the quarter-finals at the US Open.
However, during their first-round match against American pair Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, a humorous incident unfolded. Serving at one set apiece and 3-3 in the third set, Canadian Dabrowski delivered a wildly off-target serve. Instead of crashing into the bottom of the net, the ball veered off course and struck the back of her Kiwi partner Routliffe's head. Initially, Routliffe appeared hurt by the unexpected impact, which could have been quite dangerous. But she quickly regained her composure, standing back up and joining in a shared laugh with Dabrowski, who exhibited a mixture of hysterics and embarrassment. The New Zealand-Canadian duo managed to brush off the mishap, winning the next three games to secure the third set and claim a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. Prior to the tournament, Dabrowski revealed that she had been battling cancer throughout the previous year. 'I know this will come as a shock to many, but I am OK and I will be okay. Early detection saves lives. I can wholeheartedly agree with this,' she stated earlier this month. 'In the spring of 2023, I felt a lump in my left breast during a self-exam. A few months later, a doctor told me it was nothing and not to worry. So I didn’t. Time went on, and in spring 2024, I thought the lump was a little bigger. During our WTA comprehensive physicals, a WTA doctor told me she wasn’t sure what it was, and to go and get it scanned. 'First, a mammogram, second, an ultrasound, to confirm what the mammogram saw. Third… a phone call from the radiologist reading the images, alerting me to a lump that did not look like a cyst due to its uneven edging and shading. ‘It looks ugly and I want you to get a biopsy immediately’. 'The following morning, I had a biopsy of my left breast. The preliminary results came back that day: cancer. These are words you never expect to hear, and in an instant your life or the life of a loved one turns upside down. 'Fast forward through two surgeries at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, recovery, rehab, @patrickdaciek tossing the ball for me on my serve because my left arm couldn’t raise high enough (this was 2 weeks before Nottingham) a slight delay in further treatment to be able to compete at Wimbledon and the Olympics, radiation and fatigue (between Toronto and US Open), starting endocrine therapy, ending the season on the highest note possible… it all seems surreal.'
Australian Open Doubles Gaby Dabrowski Erin Routliffe Tennis Cancer Comedic Moment
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