New Delhi: Erin Routliffe was born in Auckland while New Zealand was her parents’ base during their circumnavigation adventure. They stayed in the country for four years, had two more daughters, and then returned home to Ontario, Canada.Erin then went to the National Training Center in Montreal and then to the University of Alabama, where she played collegiate tennis.
When she graduated and turned pro in 2017, she expressed a desire to switch allegiance to the country of her birth, even though she had already represented Canada at the Junior Grand Slam and Junior Fed Cup.Erin’s sister Tess, also born in Auckland, went in the opposite direction, winning a silver medal for Canada in the women’s 200m individual medley SM7 at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.“I’m leaving college and I want to play professionally and the New Zealand federation is very supportive of that. It’s a bit like a fresh start for me, being able to play with a new team, new coaches, new everything. And being able to play in the Billie Jean King Cup straight away,” Erin explained her reasoning to TOI.
Erin Routliffe represents New Zealand in the Billie Jean King Cup. (instagram)
“I competed in my first tournament in 2017, right out of college. It was an amazing experience. I’ve competed almost every year since. That’s probably why I switched careers. Obviously, I have a lot of connections to Canada and New Zealand. But I’m excited to represent New Zealand in the Billie Jean King Cup,” she continued, referring to the team competition formerly known as the Fed Cup.Erin Routliffe went on to win two U.S. Open titles and a WTA Tour final with Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski. She will reach the top of the doubles rankings in July 2024.After a lackluster singles career that saw her reach a career-high world ranking of No. 582, she reaped the rewards of a “natural” doubles career.
Erin Routliffe is a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one. (instagram)
“I think I’ve always preferred doubles. It just comes more naturally to me. I like having a teammate. I like being able to celebrate with another person. I think if I’m going to be one of the best players, at the top of my game, it’s going to be doubles.“During COVID, tournaments became more restrictive. So my doubles ranking allowed me to compete in a lot of tournaments that my singles ranking didn’t allow me to compete in. So it was kind of like a natural transition,” she explained when she transitioned to being a doubles player full-time.The 31-year-old admits the sport’s isolation has also played a role in the shift. Dabrowski and her team use the popular saying “it takes a village” to embody the difference.After a three-year partnership from 2023 to 2025, Rutliff split from Dabrowski and teamed up with America’s Asha Muhammad at the beginning of the year.
Erin Routliffe teamed up with Asia Muhammed at the beginning of the year before splitting. (instagram)
After eight games and a best showing in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open, they decided to go their separate ways. In Charleston, Routliff was paired with Jennifer Brady but lost in the second round.“Some people play singles, so they don’t prioritize doubles. When you play with someone, you do everything with them. You see them every day, year-round. Sometimes things just end,” Rutliff said of why partners change so often.“I was talking to an older player who played eight years with her partner and I thought that was awesome. You really can’t see it anymore. “I think the guys played a little longer, but they also traded a lot. That’s just the way it is. I don’t know exactly why, but it does make the game interesting,” she continued.
There are many challenges. Obviously you have to figure out if your playstyle matches, and then your personality and the high-pressure environment
Erin Routliffe on changing partners during season
What makes the whole process even more difficult is changing partners during the season.“It’s really hard. There are a lot of challenges. Obviously you have to figure out if your style of play matches up, and then your personality and how you perform in high-pressure situations.“I think the last five or six years I’ve only played doubles, I’ve changed partners a lot and obviously played with Gabby (Dabrowski) for almost three years.“It’s consistent, but you kind of get used to playing with different partners all the time. 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,” she added.
