Wimbledon finalist Gabriela Dabrowski revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in an emotional social media note on Monday.
The 32-year-old Canadian, who was diagnosed in mid-April, underwent two surgeries at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and said he is now doing well.
caption Instagram post“Invisible 2024 🩷,” Dabrowski explained, delaying her treatment in order to compete at Wimbledon, where she and doubles partner Erin Routliff lost in the final.
Dombrovskis also competed in this summer's Paris Olympics, where he won a bronze medal in mixed doubles.
“In the spring of 2023, I felt a lump in my left breast during a self-examination,” Dabrowski wrote. “After a few months, the doctor said everything was fine and there was no need to worry. So I didn't do it. Time passed, and in the spring of 2024, I thought the lump had gotten a little bigger.
“During WTA's comprehensive medical exam, the WTA doctor told us to get a scan because we didn't know what it was. First we did a mammogram, second we did an ultrasound, and third we read the images. My radiologist called me and warned me that there was a lump that didn't look like a cyst because of the uneven edging and shadowing.
Dombrowski said preliminary results from a biopsy on her left breast revealed cancer.
She added that she kept her diagnosis quiet because she didn't want the news to become part of her identity.
“For a long time, I wasn't ready to be exposed to the attention and questions I might have received before,” she wrote. “I wanted to know everything and handle things privately so that only those closest to me were informed. There were so many unknowns and things to learn and research. A lot happened.
“Currently, I am learning more about my treatments, side effects, and how to manage them. Many people simply cannot afford to tell their stories, so I am also realizing how lucky I am. Please know that I am fully aware of this.”
Dabrowski went on to explain that her cancer diagnosis changed her perspective and the way she thinks, emphasizing that early detection saves lives.
“To people with cancer, I say fk you, but I also say thank you,” Dabrowski concluded.
