Taylor Townsend: ‘Having a child doesn’t stop you from being great at whatever you do’

Taylor Townsend is out to make her trip to Australia worthwhile and took a giant leap towards that goal with a first round win.
The increased early round prize money at the Australian Open, means that Townsend’s 6-1, 6-1 win over France’s Diane Parry will see her bank over $100,000 from her adventure Downunder.
Townsend admits that it is tough for her to be away from her two-year-old son to compete on the WTA Tour.
“When I leave, it’s incredibly important for me to make the times that I leave count,” Townsend told reporters in Melbourne. “I talk to [Adyn], and before my matches I look at pictures and videos and just remind myself of why I’m doing this and why I’m away, so it means something.
“It really is special to make these moments count and to be able to show the ups and downs. Like, the way that my singles started in the first match of the season (she lost 6-0, 6-0 in Adelaide qualifying) compared to this one, like, it just is in a short amount of time for me.
“It just shows [people] to continue to work and those results don’t define you. You just have to keep your head down and continue to push on.”
Townsend is still a full-time WTA Tour professional and says that there is a misconception about the financial situations of player’s who aren’t among the sport’s elite.
“I want to enjoy being a mother. I want to understand my son. I don’t want to feel the pressure of I have to play.
“You have to take into consideration that the financial situation of everyone is different. My financial situation versus Kim’s [Clijsters] financial situation versus Serena’s versus Vika’s, we’re in different circles. By a certain time, I need to start playing so I can start making some money again. I need to start replenishing the pot.
“I want to enjoy being a mother. I want to understand my son. I don’t want to feel the pressure of I have to play.
“You have to take into consideration that the financial situation of everyone is different. My financial situation versus Kim’s [Clijsters] financial situation versus Serena’s versus Vika’s, we’re in different circles. By a certain time, I need to start playing so I can start making some money again. I need to start replenishing the pot.”
Townsend is determined to show that mothers can get back onto the WTA Tour and get back to winning.
“My goal is just to try and inspire people and moms to show that you can do whatever you want,” Townsend.
“Having a child doesn’t stop you from hustling and grinding and just being great at whatever you want to do.
“I’m just trying to be the best example that I can for him both when he is with me and when he is not here. Hopefully making him proud.”
<script src=”https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wzBZN9dX-YeE8dYIR.js”></script>
READ MORE: Camila Giorgi addresses fake vaccination certificate allegations: ‘I’m very calm’
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Which ATP star was the king of the comeback in 2023?
Alexander Zverev looks set to be named the comeback player of the 2023 season.
-
Tennis Features
The 5 records Novak Djokovic could break in 2024
Novak Djokovic is an unstoppable juggernaut when it comes to breaking records.
-
Australian Open
Trio of former World No 1s go straight into Australian Open draw with Special Rankings and wildcard
Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki have been handed main draw entries.
-
Tennis News
Brisbane International sports ‘best-ever’ field with nine Grand Slam winners headed to Queensland in January
The Brisbane International in 2024 will include nine Grand Slam champions.
-
Tennis News
Maria Sharapova issues stark social media warning
Maria Sharapova recently discussed the stress imposed on today’s society by social media.
-
Tennis News
Ben Shelton thrives on personal attention from Roger Federer’s On Sports
Who backs rising star Ben Shelton?
-
WTA Tour
Historic clay-swing tournament already drawing big names with Jessica Pegula and Ons Jabeur entered
Ons Jabeur and Jessica Pegula have signed up for the Charleston Open.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek’s 2024 tennis schedule: Where will the world No 1 begin her new season?
Which tournaments are likely to feature on Iga Swiatek’s 2024 tennis schedule?
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic takes protégé Hamad Medjedovic under his wing again in another act of kindness
Hamad Medjedovic to join Novak Djokovic in Dubai.