Taylor Townsend is writing her own story just how she wants to as she rolls into US Open fourth rond
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...