While some are just getting to know the WTA Tour veteran, Townsend is unapologetically stepping fully into the spotlight.
If you’re just now discovering Taylor Townsend, her message to new fans is simple: “Welcome to the show.”
It’s an invitation into the fierce, joyful, and often defiant world of one of tennis’s most likable personalities. For years, Townsend has dazzled true fans with her aggressive net play, lefty finesse, and electric presence on court. But for many watching her during the recent US Open, it’s been a crash course in resilience, authenticity, and unapologetic self-expression.
Following the 29-year-old’s second-round win against Jelena Ostapenko, the two exchanged words at the net, with the Latvian saying the American had “no class” and “no education.” Despite Ostapenko’s claim that her comment stemmed from Townsend not apologizing after a net-cord point — and had no racial undertones — the backlash was still swift and significant. Ostapenko eventually issued an apology, but the incident once again placed Townsend at the center of controversy.
“This could be people’s first time ever getting a chance to know me,” she reflects to Boardroom, acknowledging the new wave of attention with her signature mix of humor and heart. “I’ve been playing on the [WTA] Tour for so many years that you think fans are just the fans. But this whole experience has opened me up to a completely different level.”
It’s a level she’s not only embracing — but owning. Whether navigating high-stakes matches or standing firm in the face of conflict, Townsend has made one thing clear: she’s not here to play a role that makes others comfortable. If you disagree, you’ll just have to cope.
“I really thought about how I wanted to show up in that moment,” Townsend said of her reaction. “I don’t disrespect people, so I expect the same level of respect back. I said to myself, ‘You got the right one today.'”
It’s a plight many Black athletes, especially Black women athletes, have to reckon with in their respective athletics. We might not be in the wrong, but our reactions, regardless of whether they’re unintentionally curt, will be seen as combative. Critics are quick to call us aggravators, unprofessionals, and, in the case we do win like Townsend did, pray on an eventual downfall.
What might’ve been a passing viral clip for some was actually a culmination for Townsend — a line drawn from years of dealing with public pressure, microaggressions, and disrespect. But instead of reacting, she chose to lead with dignity and grace. Townsend didn’t chase a moment. She owned it. And in doing so, she flipped the power dynamic from public consumption to personal agency.
Channeling Past Pain Into Present Power
Townsend’s resilience can’t be lab-built or even adapted in a coaching session; it’s something only developed with experience. For her, a rather unfortunate incident taught her about mental toughness before any finals loss ever could.
“I remember when I was 16, I hadn’t been home in 10 months. I tweeted, ‘Can’t wait to go home,’ and someone replied: ‘Yeah, you’re going back to your cage, you fat f**king monkey.’ I hadn’t even played a match.”
The faceless keyboard warrior thought they were being bold by bullying an up-and-coming talent. But it actually shifted Townsend’s professional and personal mindset. It shattered the illusion that kindness or talent could shield her from hate, and it sparked something more important: conviction.
“That’s when I realized, people just hate you just because. It had nothing to do with tennis. And I told myself, ‘Eff this.’ I’m going to do what makes me happy. So the experiences have really taught me how to navigate these situations. And through working on myself and asking myself the tough questions, it has allowed me to be able to now think about how I want to show up and know that my truth and being myself is enough.”
It’s one of the earliest and humbling lessons in public life: you can’t perform your way out of people’s prejudice. For years, she’d tried to soften her voice, over-accommodate, avoid conflict to be palatable. No more.
“I wouldn’t say things, not do things, because I didn’t want to ruffle feathers. But that situation made me see you can’t please everyone.”
And now? She chooses differently, not out of spite, but from a place of clarity. Every insult became instruction. Every attempt to silence her gave her reason to speak louder and more authentically.
A long time ago, Townsend stopped asking, “Will they accept me?” and started asserting, “This is who I am.”
The Doubles Revolution
There’s a myth in tennis that greatness only lives in singles. But Townsend is here to debunk that narrative — and she comes with receipts. As the No. 1-ranked doubles player in the world, she’s not just winning matches — the Chicago-born pro is shifting perceptions while connecting with a brand-new audience of viewers eager to root for someone new.
“It’s kind of an old thought process where people feel like you have to choose,” she says. “That doubles is less than singles. But I’ve always said: I’m a tennis player, and I’m a damn good tennis player.”
Think of doubles like a team chess match, a partner dance, and a test of communication under pressure. It requires total synchronization with your other half, truly leveraging every inch of the court. Townsend says that when you’re on the court, you’re forced to gel, problem-solve, and adapt with another person in real-time, calling it “a different level of precision.” She and partner Kateřina Siniaková came up short in the US Open doubles championship match this year, falling short to world No. 3 Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski. However, the duo won this year’s Australian Open in January and are also 2024 Wimbledon champions.
Viewership for doubles is up, and the crowds that packed Arthur Ashe Stadium last Friday were treated to an unforgettable performance by both teams. Due to its popularity, conversations around the format are shifting. For Townsend, it’s not just about her own overdue spotlight — it’s about bringing more fans into a part of the game that’s long been overlooked. Add her unique edge of being a lefty, and you get another strategic layer most supporters never even consider.
“There aren’t a lot of lefties,” she says. “But it’s a real advantage. It complements the court differently. My partner loves it.”
But don’t let the stats or the handedness distract from what Townsend is really doing: changing what people value in the sport.
“Call me a doubles player, a mixed doubles player, singles, whatever. I don’t care. I’m a tennis player. Period,” Townsend proclaimed.
Yes, she’s the No. 1 doubles player in the world. Yes, she’s an elite lefty with a strategic mind and a killer net presence. But perhaps the most defining title Townsend holds is the one that doesn’t come with a trophy: Mom.
Tennis emulates life, Townsend says. Regardless of the wins and losses, she explains it’s how you manage those challenges that dictate the result. Townsend’s son Adyn (AJ) has been both a grounding force and a motivator, serving as a daily reminder that there’s more to life than match stats or rankings. And in the chaos of professional sport, he’s also become her clearest mirror.
“He watched me battle in a match for over three hours,” she gushes. “I said, ‘AJ, I lost.’ And he just said, ‘It’s okay, you did so good.'”
In the simplicity of a child’s support, there’s an unfiltered truth. It’s the type of perspective pros rarely get and an approach that completely shifts one’s ego. A mindset of self-talk and self-correction is at the core of how Townsend approaches her sport, her platform, and her parenting.
“I just try and be the best possible example for him, leading through action, not just through words. Obviously, I talk a lot, but I lead with action because ultimately that’s how kids learn,” she said.
Subscribe for the biggest stories in the business of sports and entertainment, daily.
Controlling the Narrative by Owning the Moment
In an era where sports are blending into fashion, culture, music, and media, Townsend is not uniquely equipped to lead but has been waiting for this moment for years. She’s been in the spotlight since she was a teenager. She’s endured her fair share of wins and losses, yet remains committed to evolving as her career ascends.
“Tennis needs people who don’t come in with a traditional lens,” she says. “People who observe the game for what it is, not just what it’s supposed to be.”
She’s speaking to the rise of crossover culture where personality, platform, and sport collide. Townsend, who won the 2012 Australian Open junior singles title at just 15, becoming only the second American to do so, isn’t intimidated by that evolution. In fact, she’s energized by it. So, don’t be surprised if you see a lot more of that spunky persona as the season charges on. It’s refreshing to see an athlete so intentionally connected to her fanbase, so much so that she teased a forthcoming merch line that invokes her personality and style (think crop tops and bright colors).
“I’m very selective on who I decide to partner with because, for me, I’m not driven by money. I’m driven by purpose and mission. So I would rather go somewhere or be with somebody that values who I am, my story, and what I bring to the table, and grow together. It’s bigger than just a check. I’ve had to learn the hard way that not everyone operates with your same moral compass, but I can align with people who are in line with how I think, how I feel, and what I’m trying to push forward. Not even for myself, but just a narrative representation and how I want to inspire people.”
As tennis continues to evolve beyond its rigid traditions, Townsend isn’t interested in fitting a mold — she’s carving out space for others to break theirs, too.
“For so long, all you saw was the athlete’s persona. But now we’re peeling that back. I want people to see what’s under the armor. I want people to see themselves in me,” Townsend says. “That’s what I really pride myself on. Being real and being seen.”
Read More:
Aaron Rodgers’ Opportunity to Go Out on His Own Terms
Ace Greene Is Building More Than a Brand
From Cannes to Queens: SPORT BEACH Is Expanding Its Reach
The Richest Stage in Tennis: Why the US Open Reigns Supreme
Kirsten Ferguson Is Running Toward a Bigger Legacy
