Taylor Townsend (born April 16, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois) is an American professional tennis player known for her success in doubles and distinctive left-handed, serve-and-volley playing style. She turned professional in late 2012 after a standout junior career that included being named the ITF Junior World Champion in 2012. That year, she won the Australian Open girls' singles and doubles titles, as well as Wimbledon and US Open girls' doubles titles, becoming the first American to finish the year as the No. 1 junior since 1982. Townsend has achieved significant success on the WTA Tour, particularly in doubles. She reached the WTA world No. 1 doubles ranking on July 28, 2025, becoming the first mother to do so. Her major doubles titles include the 2024 Wimbledon Championships and the 2025 Australian Open, both won alongside Kateřina Siniaková. She has also been a finalist at the 2022 US Open (with Caty McNally) and the 2023 French Open (with Leylah Fernandez). In singles, her career-high ranking is No. 46, achieved in August 2024, with notable results such as a quarterfinal appearance at the 2024 Canadian Open, a WTA 1000 event. After taking maternity leave, Townsend returned to professional tennis in 2022 and quickly re-established her presence, reaching major finals and winning multiple WTA 500 titles. She is recognized for her advocacy for equal pay and her role as a mother balancing professional sports, further highlighting her impact on and off the court. Townsend comes from a tennis family; her mother, Sheila, played college tennis, and her family remains a supportive influence in her career. As of 2025, she continues to compete at a high level on the WTA Tour, maintaining her status as a top doubles player[1][2][4][5][6][8].