When I was a teenager, I was sent to tennis lessons. I spent weekend mornings running around and picking up tennis balls, all under the tutelage of an elderly gentleman named Mr. Valentine. Mr. Valentine was a very forthright gentleman and after some time had passed, my parents asked him for his opinion on my tennis skills and capabilities. “I think Patrice…is more of an academic,” he said. I’ve never forgotten that. Mr. Valentine was right (I was not athletically gifted) but for years I carried those words with me, and allowed them to make me feel less than capable about sports and physical activity in general.
So when I started seeing images of Chicago’s own tennis champion Taylor Townsend, I was SO happy for her! It is so validating and inspiring to see someone who looks like you, doing things you never dreamed of doing. If you aren’t yet aware of Taylor Townsend, then take notes – she’s quickly becoming a new tennis superstar.
Who is Taylor Townsend? She’s the 2012 Australian Open girls’ singles champion. She is the first American to hold the No. 1 year-end world ranking for junior girls since Gretchen Rush in 1982. She is the youngest American female to advance to the third round at the French Open since 2003. She beat Alize Cornet, the number 20 seed. She’s making incredible achievements in the sport, but the headlines about her have primarily focused on her body.
In 2012, the United States Tennis Association did not support Taylor Townsend. From the NY Times via Clutch Magazine: “…at the United States Open junior tournament later that year, the United States Tennis Association wanted to keep her out of the tournament because it believed her physical conditioning was lacking, even though she was the top-ranked junior girl in the world. She entered the tournament anyway and reached the quarterfinals.”
That right there, inspired this post. Here are a few reasons to LOVE Taylor Townsend!
1 – she’s from Chicago’s south side! Via the Chicago Sun-Times – “Born in Chicago to Gary and Sheila Townsend, Taylor grew up on the South Side in the Englewood and Chatham neighborhoods. Her mother played tennis matches into her eighth month of pregnancy.
A product of XS Tennis in Chicago, Townsend has been coached by former collegiate player Kamau Murray for the last seven years and was recently joined by XS Tennis’ director of junior development, Aaron Mabra…Mabra said that growing up in Englewood has contributed to Townsend’s mental toughness.
“She grew up on the South Side, and she had to deal with day-to-day life situations,” Mabra said.” Some GREAT people have come from Chicago, Taylor – you’re in excellent company and you’re making us proud!
2 – she’s rocking her natural hair! Taylor’s been rocking her hair in a beautiful short curly fro, or braids as a protective, chic style. Either way, she’s winning. Who’s mad. You mad?
Too bad!
3 – she is who she is and owns it. And that sends a powerful message. My friend Denene of My Brown Baby wrote such a beautiful, moving post about what Taylor Townsend represents to her girls, and to all curvy women of color. Go ahead. Click here to read it. I’ll wait.
Wasn’t that beautiful? Denene is the don dada of writing. And she said it so wonderfully, paying homage to Taylor and other “thick, chocolate athletic powerhouses” : “play your game, Taylor. PLAY. IT. TO. WIN. And be exactly you are—a beautiful, strong, athletic young woman standing in the wings as the next American tennis champion. We see you. And love you exactly the way you are.”
AMEN.
4 – She flies above her haters.
I know. Hater is an oft-overused word that can sometimes mean nothing but despite her age, Taylor Townsend has faced some ridiculous ignorance about her body and some completely incorrect assumptions about her capabilities, from no less than the USTA. The blog SorryWatch breaks it all down with righteous anger, click to read. Basically in 2012, Taylor’s mom paid out of pocket for her daughter to attend the Open, because the USTA refused to pay her way until she lost weight and fit their definition of what a number one player looks like – even though she was already number one at the time. Via WSJ.com — “Our concern is her long-term health, number one, and her long-term development as a player,” said Patrick McEnroe, the general manager of the USTA’s player development program.”
That’s what we call “concern trolling,” on the internet. There’s genuine concern and then there’s this faux-concern about people of size, regarding their health. Taylor’s mom paid her way and she continued to win and defy the expectations that have been placed on her because of her body, proving all of her naysayers wrong in the process.
5 – she’s got the best celebration dances!
She busted out a flawless Nae Nae when she won that 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Alize Cornet.
I’m rooting for Taylor Townsend to keep winning, to keep shining, and keep inspiring generations of girls like herself (and girls like ME) to follow their dreams no matter WHAT. Taylor ROCKS. You can follow her on Twitter @Taylor_Townsen.
Read more:
Via HuffPo: Teen Tennis Star’s Success is Powerful Argument Against Body Shaming
When I saw her on tv I said to myself, a younger Afrobella. She is also built like Serena.
I am very happy to read about all her accomplishments and hope that she continues to do well and by in so doing, encourage young girls of All races, all socio-economic and All body types to want to play a sport, whether for fun or for competitions.
Thanks for this post.
I’ve been a tennis fan since the days of Steffi and Monica and was so happy and proud when the Williams Sisters came along that I wondered if I would still be as enthusiastic about the sport when they eventually pack up their tennis gear for the last time on the pro circuit. When I saw Taylor Townsend for the first time about two years ago, I got excited all over again. Sometimes tennis prodigies that start out with promise fizzle, but I have every reason to believe that T.T. will just get better and better. She’s got such great technique and she is so swift and crafty.
I remember reading about the foolishness that the USTA put her through (when was the last time that organization produced a Major champion? ) and most of the tennis stars, past and present chastised the USTA for their actions– from Martina Navratilova, to Lindsey Davenport, who herself used to be of fuller figure, to Serena, were none too pleased with how the USTA behaved. I was glad when Taylor decided to go on her own and cut ties with the USTA, who will rue the day they tried to shame her into losing weight. I’m glad T.T. is now with Zina Garrison, a former Top 5 Pro tennis player and Wimbledon finalist, who knows all about the pressures of body image. I think that will be a very productive and healthy partnership.
The reigning Men’s Wimbledon Champion exclaimed just how good Taylor is and how great her smile is after she pulled off what he described as a gutsy win.
I think that Taylor’s game every bit as effervescent as her smile. And both are shining bright.
P.S.– Look out for Francis Tiafoe, a 16 year old from D.C./Maryland area whose parents hail from Sierra Leone. He has tremendous upside as well.
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