WASHINGTON- Taylor Townsend has a killer forehand that has helped her dominate the junior’s tennis circuit over the past two years. The heavy hitter is among a group of young up-and-coming American tennis players, looking to make their marks in the professional Women’s Tennis Association circuit. With raw talent and a serious drive, this young teen is among the best of them.
The transition to the pro game for Townsend has already brought great success. In 2012, the 18-year-old Chicago native while still an amateur won both the singles and doubles title at the Junior Australian Open and won the doubles titles at the junior Wimbledon. And earlier this year, she advanced to the third round of the French Open.
“It’s been tough transitioning from the juniors to the pros. But at the same time I’m my biggest competitor and am fighting myself every day,” Townsend said.
Townsend is competing in the Citi Open Tournament in Washington where she is playing both singles and doubles. She had success at the tournament last year when she won the Citi Open doubles title with 20-year-old Eugenie Bouchard of Canada.
The lefty hitter is no stranger to the Rock Creek Tennis Center, the site of the tournament in Northwest Washington. Townsend trains there every day focusing on her fitness and technique.
“I practice once a day but for three to four hours at a time. Then I do fitness for two hours a day and cardio at night. It’s pretty intense,” she said.
The easy-going teen joked about switching to play left-handed when she was younger. “I put the racquet in my right hand and my balance was always off,” she said, chuckling. “At first I was mad at my coach…but now I am so happy we did.”
The pressure to win consistently may way weigh heavy for some, but for the 145th ranked player in the world it comes from within. “I think that the pressure is the pressure I put on myself. And if I succumb to that pressure it will be tough for me to perform,” she said.
In her opening qualifying matches in Washington Townsend took down fellow American Alexandra Mueller in three sets ( 6-1,1-6, 6-1) and Tereza Smitkova of Czechoslovakia(6-3,6-4).
“This tournament I want to win a couple more rounds and do whatever it takes to get where I want to go,” Townsend said after her post game doubles match victory.
Townsend won her first round singles match, but later lost to No. 35 ranked player Kristina Mladenovic of France. The ambidextrous powerhouse has an arsenal of shot selection she uses to run her opponents ragged. But the seasoned 21-year-old Mladenovic’s shot placement and depth won out that afternoon.
Townsend still has time to mature and mark her place within the WTA circuit. She has a goal to break the top 100 by the end of the year and work on her mental game.
“Tennis is the easy part, but when you have to fight your self it is harder. I’m just taking small steps everyday,” she said.
Townsend remains in the main doubles bracket of the Citi Open with partner Vania King. The pair will play Thursday night against the Japanese duo Kiroko Kuwata and Kurumi Nara.
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- Taylor Townsend strategizes with doubles partner Vania King at the Citi Open.
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- Townsend serves during her match at the Citi Open.
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- The Citi Open crowd cheers for Townsend during her second round match.
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- Townsend runs down the ball during her match at the Citi Open.
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- Towsned shakes hands with Kristina Mladenovic after her second round loss.
