Taylor Townsend spoke about her experience as a mother and the intense fears she faced when becoming one in the middle of her career. The former junior No. 1 gave birth to her son in 2021 and is one of the mothers competing on the WTA Tour. She recently admitted that motherhood was not in her plans at the time.
In an interview with ESSENCE, Townsend opened up about how she felt when she found out she was expecting: "So when I found out that I was expecting, I was terrified. One of the things that I always wanted, and I always said, was when I’m done, I just want to have my freedom. I don’t want to be tied down to anything. I just want to be able to move how I want to move. And so I really did not want kids."
The American also revealed that she hid her pregnancy for a long time and continued playing several tournaments: "I was so scared [laughs], and I was like, what the heck? It was so unexpected. I was actually in the middle of playing an event, and I had to put on a mask and a face... I had to hide it for months up until after the US Open in 2020, which was my last event."
Townsend has proven that motherhood and professional tennis can coexist, showing that it is possible to perform at the highest level on the WTA Tour. Other players have also made impressive comebacks after giving birth, such as Belinda Bencic, who has had a spectacular start to 2025, winning the WTA 500 in Abu Dhabi, where she defeated Elena Rybakina.
Petra Kvitova is also expected to return to the Tour soon. The Czech player, who missed the entire 2024 season after becoming a mother, is set to compete at the ATX Open in Austin, which begins this Monday. Other players who have successfully returned to the Tour after becoming mothers include Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber (who retired in 2024), and Victoria Azarenka.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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