For most athletes, the road to the Olympics is paved with years of training and sacrifice. As professional tennis player Gaby Dabrowski was preparing for her 2024 season and a chance to play in the Summer Olympics, her journey took an unexpected detour. A diagnosis of breast cancer threatened her dream and her life.

What followed was a carefully coordinated plan at Mayo Clinic, designed not only to treat the cancer but also to preserve her ability to compete on the world stage.

Watch: Gaby Dabrowski's story

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (2:05) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"I started playing tennis when I was 7 years old," Gaby says. "Growing up, the Olympics were always on TV for two weeks in the summer, so it was always my dream to compete at the Olympics."

Heading into the 2024 season, Gaby was ready to realize her childhood dream. But when she found a lump on her breast, Gaby's focus went immediately to her health.

Dr. Jennifer Maynard, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician specializing in sports medicine, helped coordinate Gaby's care.

"We recommended a pretty urgent evaluation, as she was over 30, we wanted to get the mammogram and the ultrasound," says Dr. Maynard.

Those results were abnormal. A breast MRI followed, then a biopsy confirmed the lump was cancer.

"When I was diagnosed, I didn't know if I would be able to play tennis again," Gaby says.

"She knew her ultimate goal was to be an Olympian at the Paris Olympics, so we had to be innovative and think outside the box," says Dr. Maynard.

Gaby's care team had to consider how to treat her cancer in a way that avoided the muscles used in playing tennis.

In the spring of 2024, she underwent surgery, then targeted radiation. Treatment was successful, and Gaby was cancer-free.

"Even though I wasn't playing on court and playing the game that I love, it was like swapping in the care team as my partners," Gaby says.

As soon as her care team cleared her, Gaby resumed training. Her dedication paid off in Paris. Gaby and her doubles partner earned an Olympic bronze medal, living out a dream.

"When I was on the podium holding the medal, I really just felt full elation," Gaby says. "I didn't feel like it was just a win for me. I felt like it was a win for everyone: my best friends, my parents, my coaching team, my care team."

Gaby has continued to find success on the court in tournaments and off, as an advocate for personal health.

"I certainly have a newfound appreciation for playing a sport as my job, but at the same time, if you took it away from me right now, I'd be OK because I have my health, and that's the most important thing," Gaby says.

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