Townsend believes consistency main aspect behind comeback: "You have to bring a certain level"

Taylor Townsend commented on her return to the tour after becoming a mother in 2021.

The former junior world number 1 has not had an easy comeback since becoming a mother. Still outside the top 100, the American seems to have rediscovered her tennis in recent weeks.

The beginning of the year was challenging, as she had a disappointing debut at the Adelaide International 1, losing to Anastasia Potapova 6-0, 6-1. At the Australian Open, she secured her first win of the year against Diane Perry but lost in the second round to Ekaterina Aleksandrova, showing a good level of play.

In the clay season, she is demonstrating her desire to return to the forefront of tennis. She has won 12 out of 15 clay matches this year and achieved an incredible victory against world number 3 Jessica Pegula in Rome.

"I think I'm still on the comeback trail," Townsend said in a small gathering of reporters. "I think this is part of my story. I feel like it's a part of who I am."

The 27-year-old athlete mentioned having a new perspective on life and her career after becoming a mother. She also discussed the confidence she feels:

"I don't want to retire that story because I think it's incredibly powerful and I think it inspires a lot of people," she added. "I feel like that's something I struggled with in the past."

"I think that just jumping in with two feet, playing full-out on tour week-in and week-out, I think it's been wildly helpful for me," said Townsend.

Townsend has just cleared the qualifying rounds at the French Open and has been drawn to play against the 24th seed Anastasia Potapova, seeking a rematch that will allow her to continue progressing in the second Grand Slam of the year.

"I know that I belong, I believe that I belong here and that I have the level to play against anyone - I'm looking forward to kicking off the real work here at Roland-Garros," she concluded.