Tennis star Taylor Townsend reveals she is pregnant… just one month after playing at US Open and reaching semi-finals
TENNIS star Taylor Townsend revealed she is pregnant… just one month after reaching the US Open semi-finals.
The American, 24, uploaded an emotional video on Instagram to let her fans know of the exciting news, finishing off by holding a mini racket.
She captioned the post: “BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
“Life has a funny way of putting you exactly where you are supposed to be. I’m so excited to embark on the journey of motherhood!!”
In the video, Townsend listed many of her career and life achievements while highlighting many of the difficulties she has faced.
She said: “At four years old I was told I would never make it and I should quit.
“At 12 I became the youngest-ever to win the Georgia state qualifier. At 15, I didn’t think I was good enough, but I proved myself wrong by winning the junior Australian open in singles and in doubles.
“My entire life, my entire career, I’ve heard you can’t, you won’t, and I’ve used it as a reason to fight hard and as motivation to keep playing.
“I’m sure this won’t be any different, so I’ll have to prove them wrong again.
“Because now I have the best reason ever to play. You might think what I’ve done so far is impressive, but just wait until you see what I do next.”
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It is not public knowledge who the baby’s father is because she has been private about her relationship status.
Townsend – who also changed her Instagram bio to say ‘mom to be’ and took to her story with ‘preggo life’ updates – is the world No90 in singles and No66 in doubles.
And the Chicago-born ace played in both tournaments at the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
She lost to compatriot Sachia Vickery 6-2 6-4 in the opening round of the singles but reached the semi-finals of the doubles with partner Asia Muhammad.
And with her first baby due in March, it means she was competing at tennis’ first post-lockdown Grand Slam already pregnant.
Serena Williams famously won the Australian Open in 2017 with baby Alexis Olympia on the way.
And Townsend looks set to join the likes of Williams, US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka and Tsvetana Pironkova as mums on the WTA circuit.
In 2018 the WTA changed the rules to freeze the rankings for women who take time away from the sport to have children.