Taylor Townsend is ’embracing’ introducing herself to new people in the sport after she defeated Mirra Andreeva 7-5 6-2 at the US Open.
It was a stunning performance from the American as she knocked out the fifth seed in style to continue her incredible run in New York.
The result means Townsend is into the last 16 at the US Open for the second time in her career as she continues to make new waves in the sport.
For Townsend the result in New York is testament to experience and the hard work she has put in, “I attribute it to experience and doing the work,” Townsend said in her press conference.
“I’ve been working on myself, and I think, you know, anyone in the media could see that over the years and over the time that I’ve become a new person. As I continue to talk to you guys, there are things I found out or realized about myself and I’m very vocal about that.
“I’ve just been doing the self-work, and I realize that a lot of the stuff had nothing to do with hitting a tennis ball. It was all between the ears. Tennis is 85, 90% mental. For me, I accepted that that was my downfall and that was my flaw, and I decided to dive into that.
“It’s been uncomfortable, it hasn’t been easy, but I’m doing the work. And I’m saying “doing,” because it’s an ongoing thing. It’s not a thing where you do it and it’s like, Okay, cool. Check. It’s an ongoing process.
“You know, for me, the confidence is I’m glad that you guys see it, but it’s something that’s pure and it’s something that’s just me. I’m just here. I’m on full display, I’m not hiding, I’m not scared to show my true colours. I’m not scared to open up my vest and show you guys vulnerability or how I’m feeling or anything like that.
“I think that as I’ve matured and I’ve understood myself more, I’m able to keep those things in check and I’m able to continue to just take care of business, and when it’s time to be out on the court and it’s time to do the things, I’m just focusing on those things.”
The work Townsend has put in is finally paying off as she is into the last 16 in New York in what has been an eventful tournament so far.
After the argument with Jelena Ostapenko, Townsend has had a lot to deal with which has made her win over Andreeva even more impressive.
However, Townsend has admitted that she has blocked everything out and is keeping as professional as possible, “It hasn’t been hard at all. You know, I said to my team, I’m made for this type of stuff. I really feel like, you know, it wasn’t hard, because I stood in my truth. So there was, I didn’t have to defend anything that I said,” Townsend stated.
“What I said, I said, and I meant. So, you know, for me, it was also good because I had doubles the next day. So I had to get right back on the page, because at the end of the day, I would never allow any drama or anything on the outside to deter me from what my goal is when I step into the lines on the court.
“When I step into those gates, nothing that’s happening on the outside matters. That’s how I was raised and I’m really embodying that thought process. When I got out onto the court, when I got onto the practice court, when I got out onto the match court, it was about business. It was the same tonight.
“So when it’s time to do the job, it’s time to do the job. And that’s what I think is a testament to being professional, being able to block out what’s on the outside and when you step in the lines you handle business.”
This tournament has given Townsend more exposure to people who may not have heard of her before.
That’s something that Townsend is ’embracing’ as she introduces the world to who Taylor Townsend really is, “You know, people being able to see me now, but then being able to go back and go back into history or my history and follow my journey and figure out how has she gotten here, I think that’s super cool, and I think that’s one of the things that people are resonating with,” Townsend realised.
“You know, it’s been amazing. You know, even before all this stuff happened, prior to the tournament starting, I did my popup shop and I hosted a couple of events during Fan Week after the mixed doubles. And I just said it’s not often you get a chance to be up close and personal with people who have been following you since you were a junior.
“I just have gotten so much love and support on a personal level from fans and people who are just really supporting and rocking with me. I took that and I’m, like, Wow, this is amazing. So, you know, it can be a lot at times, but the great thing is a lot of this stuff has been happening on social media, so it is kind of a distance away from it, as well.
“But I’m embracing it. I’m embracing it and enjoying it. Like I said, it’s cool because I’m just showing up as myself so I don’t have to be anything else but me. If you like it, you like it. If you don’t, you don’t. Whatever. I think that’s the cool thing, because I’m just truly showing up as myself, and I think people see that and I think it’s cool they like what I see.
“I think I’m pretty cool. I think I’m funny. I think that’s all that matters. So, yeah, it’s cool, but I’m enjoying the journey, enjoying the ride. It’s not over yet.”
Townsend will now face former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova for a spot in the quarter-finals.
