American Taylor Townsend scored probably the most spot in prime time at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night time, beautiful the fifth seed 7-5, 6-2, reaching the fourth spherical of the US Open for the primary time since 2019.
Getting into this Grand Slam event, Townsend was not near Star Energy or recognition of the names of fellow People Kokogoff and Jessica Pegra. Nevertheless, half of the world’s top-ranked girls’s doubles workforce and primary as a junior participant, it grew to become one of many event’s largest tales after post-match discussions with Jelena Ostapenko and the next discourse surrounding it.
“It is greater than me,” Townsend, 29, advised court docket after the sport. “It is in regards to the message. It is about expression. It is about daring and you may present up such as you your self. I did that tonight. You guys noticed the true Taylor Townsend tonight.”
Townsend hopes that the highlight from the battle and her calling consideration to it’s going to typically be constructive for the US open and tennis.
“When you’re somebody who can herald a big crowd into the stadium as a reputation that permits folks to come back and purchase tickets and assist the sport, that is the crown I will be blissful to put on,” Townsend mentioned. “No matter it’s, what it brings, it is doing the suitable factor. It is about making folks see the game and supporting folks. That is all.”
Black Townsend and Latvian native Ostapenko had a fierce change after Townsend received in straight units. After their match, Townsend mentioned Ostapenko had gone on to her with out apologizing for the netcode, after which used insulting language and questioned Townsend’s intelligence and persona. When requested if she thought there was a racial undertone within the feedback, Townsend did not take it that means, however mentioned he admitted “it is a stigma in our group of ‘uneducated’ and when it is the farthest from the reality.”
Gauff and Naomi osaka have been amongst those that got here publicly to defend Townsend. Osaka referred to as Townsend saying that Ostapenko “one of many worst issues you may say to a majority of White Sports activities black tennis gamers.”
Even personally, Townsend mentioned different gamers had broached the topic and expressed their assist. On-line, she has gained 1000’s of social media followers.
“It is cool to know individuals are watching you and folks see above all else,” Townsend mentioned. I am proud. “
Townsend is within the fourth spherical of the US Open, greater than a decade after the American Tennis Affiliation left the junior competitors over her health considerations. The 2012 group funded her event appearances whereas specializing in getting her higher.
In the meantime, she dominated in doubles, profitable Wimbledon final yr, opening earlier this yr along with her associate Katerina Sr. Koba, and Australian, and the pair are the highest seed of the Flushing Meadows.
Townsend, who hasn’t handed the fourth spherical of singles within the majors, will face two-time Grand Slam singles champion Barbora Klezikova on Sunday.
If Townsend reaches the quarterfinals this time, she hopes for a lesson that it is okay to face up on her personal.
“Typically, I am anticipating society, particularly folks of colour, we’re silent. Or typically, typically we’re very strategic about once we’re talking up, and it is necessary to talk not only for ourselves however for our tradition, at all these moments,” Townsend mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what, regardless of how a lot consideration is paid, I believe you will by no means behave by yourself, make you content who you’re, nobody can take you out of your character, and by no means allow you to be who you’re as an individual.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
