Taylor Townsend was told she’d be the next Venus or Serena. She was to be Coco before Coco.
But nearly 15 years after turning pro, Townsend has never reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Once the world’s top-ranked junior, her pro ranking topped out at No. 46.
She is now 30, the mother of a five-year-old, a top-ranked doubles player with three Grand Slam doubles titles and seven figures in career earnings, still playing the part of a fan favorite to electric crowds in Queens.
Standing before thousands of adoring fans on Court 17 — after unleashing a primal scream and embracing her new coach, Roger Tyzzer, in a lengthy, tear-filled hug — the former prodigy was filled with gratitude and joy, never more convinced that she is exactly where she is supposed to be.
“I turned pro when I was 15 and for so many years people were telling me what I should be, how I should act, what I should look like, and now I’m able to stand here strong, as a mother, No. 1 in doubles, creating history,” Townsend said. “I’m doing things my way and I’m writing my own story.”
For the second straight year, Townsend is heading to the fourth round of the U.S. Open after upsetting No. 15 Diana Shnaider, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3, on Friday, matching her career-best Grand Slam run with her second win over a seeded opponent in the tournament.
Outside New York, Townsend has lost her past nine Grand Slam matches. She hasn’t advanced past the second round of any other major since 2014.
But the world’s 96th-ranked player — who debuted in the main draw at Flushing Meadows a dozen years ago — is now one win away from the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the third time in her career, following her first win of the year over a top 20 player.
“Honestly, I was so nervous coming into this tournament because I wanted to prove that I was just as good this year as I was last year,” Townsend said. “I had to let all that s–t go and say Taylor, ‘Just go and play.’ And I think this is the most free I’ve ever been on the court. I’m having so much fun.
“I love playing here. It gives me a certain type of energy. The crowd is hyped. I feel at home. I play my best tennis. I feel so good when I come here. I really hope you guys are enjoying it. There’s more to come.”
Next up: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, who has won 16 straight matches in New York.
“I’m f—ing pumped,” said Townsend, who played Serena Williams at Arthur Ashe Stadium 12 years ago. “I’m built for these moments. Now is my time. I’m ready to take it. I’m ready to go.”
The expectations are gone. The scrutiny over her weight — thrust into the spotlight when the USTA refused to grant the then 16-year-old a wild card to the U.S. Open due to concerns about her fitness — is thankfully behind her.
It took years for her to arrive at this moment, to appreciate the beauty of a path that no one could have predicted.
“Now I’m in a space where everything I’m doing, I’m doing for me and I’m doing because it makes me happy,” Townsend said. “Anything else that people say, or whatever, it just doesn’t matter. I have had to work through that from the time that I was 15 years old in the public eye. So it hasn’t been an easy journey. I don’t take any of the experiences for granted, and I’m really just enjoying the ride.
“I wrote down in my journal when I was 8 years old that I wanted to change the game of tennis. I didn’t know how. I didn’t know what that meant. But then when I see these kids in front cheering for me and excited to watch me play and having even the crowd the way that it was today and people yelling my name, like, I’m doing it. So everything that I said I wanted to be and do as a child, I’m doing it, and I’m living my dream, and I’m just happy that I’m able to do that. I’m excited that I’m able to create a legacy for myself and my son, as well, and something that he could be really proud of when he Googles my name.”
