Ottawa tennis champion Gabriela Dabrowski is making every point count this season — not just on the scoreboard, but for women's safety around the world.
The Canadian doubles specialist has pledged to donate $20 for every game she wins in 2025 to the 1in3 Fund, a charity dedicated to eliminating violence against women. For an elite doubles player of Dabrowski's calibre, who regularly competes deep into Grand Slam draws, that adds up fast.
The Fund Behind the Mission
The 1in3 Fund was established following the devastating 2024 murder of Ugandan long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who was doused in fuel and set on fire by her partner. Cheptegei had competed at the Paris Olympics just weeks before her death. Her killing sent shockwaves through the global athletics community and prompted athletes across sports to take action.
The fund's name references the sobering statistic that one in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Dabrowski's pledge puts that number front and centre every time she steps onto the court.
Ottawa's Own on the World Stage
Dabrowski, who grew up in Ottawa and trained through the city's tennis programs before ascending to the top of the professional game, has long been one of Canada's most decorated doubles players. She has won Grand Slam titles and reached world number one in doubles — a remarkable achievement that gives her a prominent platform to champion causes she believes in.
For Ottawa tennis fans, watching Dabrowski compete has always carried local pride. Now there's an added layer of meaning to every game she plays.
Using Sport as a Force for Change
Dabrowski isn't the first athlete to tie on-court or on-field performance to charitable giving, but her choice of cause is particularly pointed. Violence against women remains a persistent global crisis, and athletes with visibility and influence are increasingly using their platforms to address it directly.
By linking donations to wins, Dabrowski creates a compelling narrative: the better she performs, the more good she does. It's a model that invites fans to root not just for trophies, but for every game point.
How to Follow Along
Fans who want to track Dabrowski's season — and by extension the growing donation total — can follow her on the WTA Tour circuit throughout the year. With major events on the calendar from Melbourne to Paris to New York, there will be plenty of opportunities to watch Ottawa's finest make an impact both on and off the court.
In a sport where individual achievement is everything, Dabrowski is proving that wins can mean something bigger than rankings points.
Source: CBC Ottawa — Read the original story
