Erin Routliffe

Erin Routliffe Bio

Erin Hope Routliffe (born 11 April 1995) is a professional tennis player from New Zealand who specializes in doubles and previously represented Canada. She has won two major doubles titles at the 2023 and 2025 US Open, partnering with Gabriela Dabrowski, thus becoming the second Kiwi woman to win a major in the Open Era, after 1979 Australian Open women’s doubles champion, Judy Connor. Routliffe is a former world No. 1 in doubles, first achieving the feat on 15 July 2024. She and Dabrowski won the doubles title at the 2024 WTA Finals. Routliffe has won 12 WTA Tour doubles titles and represented New Zealand in the Billie Jean King Cup and at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Early Life and Background

Erin Routliffe was born in Auckland, New Zealand, while her parents, Robert Routliffe and Catherine MacLennan, were on an around-the-world sailing adventure. They stayed in New Zealand for four years before returning to Canada. She has two sisters, Tara and Tess, the latter being an international para-swimmer. Both sisters were also born in Auckland. In September 2011, Routliffe moved to Montreal to train at the National Training Centre, where she remained until 2013.
Routliffe pursued her education at the University of Alabama, majoring in public relations. She was a member of the university’s tennis team from September 2013 until her graduation in May 2017. During her time at Alabama, she became a two-time NCAA doubles champion, winning titles in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Path to Tennis

Routliffe began her competitive tennis career in her early teens. In October 2010, she won the doubles title at a Grade 4 tournament in Burlington, Ontario. The following year, she secured her first junior singles title at the same tournament. By 2012, she had reached the quarterfinals in doubles at Wimbledon and the US Open, showcasing her potential on the international stage.
In 2013, she won a gold medal in singles at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, further establishing her reputation as a rising star in Canadian tennis. After switching her representational nationality back to New Zealand in June 2017, she made her debut in the Fed Cup, winning her first match against Turkmenistan. This marked the beginning of her professional career, which officially started in 2017.

Erin Routliffe Career

Early Career (2017–2021)

Routliffe’s early career was marked by significant achievements in doubles. She won her first professional doubles title in October 2016, partnering with Andie Daniell at a tournament in Charleston, South Carolina. In 2021, she captured her first WTA Tour title in doubles at the Palermo Ladies Open, teaming with Kimberley Zimmermann to defeat Natela Dzalamidze and Kamilla Rakhimova in the final.
Throughout this period, Routliffe continued to develop her skills and gain experience on the WTA Tour, reaching the quarterfinals at major tournaments and steadily improving her rankings.

Breakthrough (2022–2025)

Routliffe’s breakthrough came in 2023 when she won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, partnering with Gabriela Dabrowski. They defeated Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva in the final, marking a significant milestone in her career. This victory propelled her into the top 20 for the first time.
In 2024, Routliffe reached a new career high as the world No. 1 in doubles after a successful run at Wimbledon, where she finished as a finalist. She also won the WTA Finals with Dabrowski, becoming the first New Zealander to achieve this feat. In 2025, Routliffe and Dabrowski secured their second US Open title together, solidifying her status as one of the top doubles players in the world.

Notable Works and Milestones

Erin Routliffe’s signature works include her victories at the US Open in 2023 and 2025, as well as her title at the WTA Finals in 2024. Her impressive achievements have earned her recognition as one of the leading figures in women’s doubles tennis today.

Erin Routliffe Award Nominations

Throughout her career, Erin Routliffe has received various nominations for her performances on the tennis circuit, particularly in doubles events, showcasing her talent and contributions to the sport.

Erin Routliffe Awards Won

Erin Routliffe has won multiple awards, including two Grand Slam titles at the US Open and a WTA Finals title, highlighting her success and impact in women’s tennis.

Erin Routliffe Family

Erin Routliffe is the daughter of Robert Routliffe and Catherine MacLennan. She has two sisters, Tara and Tess, who have supported her throughout her tennis journey.

Personal Life

Erin Routliffe currently resides in Caledon, Ontario, Canada. She has maintained a focus on her professional career while balancing her personal life and family commitments.