Erin Routliffe's Unconventional Path to Tennis Greatness
Erin Routliffe's life began in Auckland, New Zealand, under extraordinary circumstances. Her parents were on an around-the-world sailing adventure, with New Zealand serving as their temporary base. They remained in the country for four years, welcoming two more daughters before returning to their home in Ontario, Canada.
From Montreal to Alabama: The Formative Years
Routliffe's tennis journey took her to Montreal's National Training Centre, followed by the University of Alabama, where she excelled in college tennis. In 2017, upon graduating and turning professional, she made a significant decision: to switch her tennis allegiance to New Zealand, the country of her birth, despite having represented Canada in junior Grand Slams and Junior Fed Cup competitions.
"I was leaving college, and I wanted to play pro, and the New Zealand Federation was really supportive of that," Routliffe explained to TimesofIndia.com. "It was kind of like a fresh start for me, to be able to play with a new team, new coaches, new everything. And to be able to play Billie Jean King Cup right away."
A Stellar Doubles Career Takes Flight
Routliffe's decision proved fruitful as she quickly established herself in the Billie Jean King Cup team competition, playing her first match in 2017. Her career trajectory soared in doubles, where she found her true calling. "I think I always liked doubles a lot better. It came a lot more naturally to me," she admitted. "I liked having a teammate. I like being able to celebrate with another person."
Her partnership with Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski became legendary, resulting in two US Open titles and a WTA Tour Finals victory. This success propelled her to the top of the doubles rankings in July 2024, achieving the World No. 1 position. Meanwhile, her singles career peaked at 582nd in the world rankings.
The Transition to Full-Time Doubles
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Routliffe's transition to full-time doubles play. "During COVID, the cut-off for tournaments got a lot stronger. So my doubles ranking could get me into a lot of tournaments, and my singles ranking wasn't getting me in," she reasoned. "So it was kind of like a natural transition."
She also acknowledged that the loneliness of singles tennis influenced her decision, finding camaraderie in doubles partnerships. The popular saying "it takes a village" resonated with her team approach.
Navigating Partnership Changes
After a successful three-year partnership with Dabrowski from 2023 to 2025, Routliffe began 2024 with American Asia Muhammad. However, after eight tournaments with a best showing of quarterfinals at the Miami Open, they parted ways. She then teamed up with Jennifer Brady at Charleston, losing in the second round.
"Some people play singles, so that's why they're not prioritising it (doubles). When you play with someone, you do everything with them. You see them every single day, all year. Sometimes things just end," Routliffe explained about frequent partner changes in professional tennis.
She noted that while some players maintain long-term partnerships—mentioning an older player who partnered for eight years—such consistency has become rare. "The men, I think, play a little bit longer, but they're also switching up a lot. It just is how it is. I don't know exactly why, but it definitely keeps it interesting," she added.
The Challenges of Switching Partners Mid-Season
Routliffe highlighted the particular difficulty of changing partners during the season. "It's really hard. There are a lot of challenges," she said. "You obviously have to figure out your game styles matching up together, and then your personalities and being in high-pressure situations."
Despite these challenges, she has adapted to frequent changes. "I think the last five or six years that I've played only doubles, I've switched partners a lot of the time," she reflected. "To be one of the best doubles players in the world, you have to be able to play with a lot of different people. Hopefully, I can do that."
Family Contrasts in International Representation
Interestingly, Routliffe's family demonstrates diverse international allegiances. Her sister Tess, also born in Auckland during their parents' sailing adventure, won a silver medal in the women's 200m individual medley SM7 at the 2016 Rio Paralympics for Canada—taking the opposite path in national representation.
Today, at 31, Erin Routliffe stands as a two-time major champion and former World No. 1, proudly representing New Zealand while maintaining strong ties to Canada. Her journey from a sailing birth to tennis stardom continues to inspire, showcasing adaptability and excellence in the competitive world of professional tennis.
