Gabriela Dabrowski's perseverance shines bright on Tennis Channel 2's Second Serve

Tennis Channel 2’s “Second Serve” show provides unique analysis of the game that you won’t find anywhere else. Live match reactions, entertaining stories being told, and even demonstrations from the former pros turned commentators in the studio. But perhaps the greatest asset to Second Serve is the unfiltered access the program has to current players, who engage in long-form, honest, and revealing discussions.

Take the powerful conversation that took place with Gabriela Dabrowski live from Indian Wells on the first official day of the event as an example.

Joining Tracy Austin on-site, and studio crew Nick Monroe, Jan-Michael Gambill and Geoff Chizever, Dabrowski chatted at length about the WTA's new look, the US Open’s mixed doubles overhaul, and her breast cancer diagnosis, winning the battle as a survivor.

Read more: WTA makes call to 'rally the world' with 2025 rebrand

Dabrowski’s health scare began in 2023, and as she explained standing next to Austin, her alertness and prompt action may have saved her life. She brought the issue to the doctors early, who were able to begin formulating a swift plan that involved surgery last May. Dabrowski resumed her playing career at Wimbledon, but having to wait until a litany of tests were conducted was stressful to say the least.

“There was a period of a with lot of unknowns, with a lot of waiting, where I wasn’t sure what my tennis career and life in general would look like,” the Canadian reflected. “Once I got my diagnosis, it actually surprised me how excited I was to step on a tennis court again, and just hit a tennis ball.

“Just being alive and being healthy and able to run around the court, that was the best thing in the world. So in that sense, definitely my perspective changed and I had a new lease on life.”

Read more: Dabrowski reveals breast cancer battle: 'Early detection saves lives'

As one of the most successful doubles players of her generation, Dabrowski had some very measured thoughts regarding the US Open’s decision to overhaul their mixed doubles event. The field has been whittled down to 16 teams, singles players are given a much clearer entry path, and the early round matches will be best-of-three sets played to four games. Dabrowski understands the new format from a business perspective but is disappointed with the lack of communication between the players and organizers.

Read more: Reigning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori slam US Open mixed doubles changes

“There’s no guarantee that top-level doubles players are going to be able to get into this event, ad that’s a shame,” The two-time mixed doubles major champion said.

“I understand that the US Open is trying to elevate their product, trying to make some changes and hopefully push more doubles matches to broadcasters and make it more appealing. But at the same time, I think there’s a way to do that that still involves predominantly doubles and their focus.”

2025 has been full of change in the tennis world, and the WTA’s rebranding is one of the biggest new developments of the year. For all the fair criticism that the game has garnered, you could make a very strong case that no sport is empowering more women than tennis.

Dabrowski is a huge fan of the WTA’srebrand, and specifically what the organization stands for and strives to become.

”We’re putting our hearts on the line and our souls on the line, and I think it takes a lot of courage to do that week in and week out,” Dabrowski reflected. “I think that the rebrand is going to capture a lot of these new stories being told,” she went on. “More players are being featured. Not just top singles players, but lower-ranked singles players and doubles players. It’s a more inclusive campaign, and so I’m really excited about the future of the WTA.”

As a WTA Players' Council member, Dabrowski continues to be a beacon of positive energy, through good times and bad. She’s persevered with her health and tennis and remains both a brave player and person. Her appearance on Tennis Channel 2’s Second Serve shone a light on one of truly great ambassadors of the sport, and it is yet another example that there’s more to a tennis player than what you see on the court, or what you hear in a quick sound bite.

Check out Second Serve during Indian Wells to learn more about the athletes, commentators, and fans that breathe life into this amazing game, exclusively on Tennis Channel 2.