“One in three is staggering”: Gabriela Dabrowski turns WTA wins into fight against violence
WTAWednesday, 15 April 2026 at 22:00
Gabriela Dabrowski has aligned her 2026 WTA doubles season with an initiative addressing violence against women, linking on-court performance directly to financial contributions. Competing alongside Luisa Stefani, the Canadian is donating $20 for every game won to the 1in3 Fund. The initiative has already generated more than $7,700, supported by a WTA 1000 title in Dubai and semifinal runs at the Australian Open and Miami Open.
The campaign is rooted in a widely cited global statistic. “One in three represents the statistic of women and girls above the age of 15 who have faced physical or sexual violence,” Dabrowski said. “To me, that statistic when I heard it was very staggering because that's what we know that's reported. So quite frankly, it's probably higher. You probably know someone who has faced violence in some way.”
Her early-season results have provided the foundation for scaling the initiative. Dabrowski and Stefani secured the Dubai WTA 1000 title in February, marking her sixth at that level, and followed with semifinal finishes at both the Australian Open and Miami. Those runs ensured a consistent accumulation of games won, directly increasing the campaign’s financial output.
The initiative also connects to the creation of the 1in3 Fund following the 2024 killing of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei. “I don't want her death to be in vain,” Dabrowski said. “I want something really positive to come out of not just my campaign, but the one in three movement in general.”
Performance-driven model and early results
Dabrowski’s approach creates a direct correlation between match results and funding. With a target of 600 games won, the projected contribution reaches $12,000. Early-season events, including a Grand Slam and two WTA 1000 tournaments, have already provided a strong base through deep runs.
The Dubai title marked the most efficient stretch, with the pair maintaining control in service games and limiting break-point exposure. In Miami, they reached the semifinals before losing to Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková, adding further volume. The Australian Open semifinal run followed a similar pattern, with tight matches contributing additional increments.
The doubles format further supports the model, with each set generating multiple games regardless of match length. Dabrowski’s consistent presence in later rounds has maximised the campaign’s output, aligning competitive results with measurable off-court impact.
Health management and continuity
Her schedule has required adjustments due to shoulder, elbow, knee and foot issues, leading to her withdrawal from Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie in Kazakhstan. “I just can't do it right now. I need to pay more attention to my body,” Dabrowski said. “That was really disappointing because I wanted to be there and help the team.”
Maintaining physical condition remains central to both her season and the campaign, as sustained participation is required to reach projected targets. Daily rehabilitation has become part of her routine as she prepares for the European clay swing.
Dabrowski is also managing ongoing monitoring following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2024, detected after a scan during the Miami Open. “I do scans every six months, mammogram and then MRI and those have been clear so far, fortunately,” she said. “[I'm] very grateful for all that.”
Partnership stability and outlook
Her partnership with Stefani has been central to both performance and continuity. After previous collaborations in 2021 and 2023, the pair reunited in 2026 with improved cohesion. Their results suggest a stable structure built on complementary roles and consistent communication.
“I'm so pleased with not just our results, but also how we've supported each other along the way,” Dabrowski said. “We've played a lot of tough matches and we've had a lot of great discussions together alongside our team.”
Looking ahead, the clay swing will test both physical resilience and consistency. “The rest of the season, I hope to stay as healthy as I can, keep competing, hopefully win a lot of matches and do a lot of good through that,” Dabrowski said.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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