Taylor Townsend On Teaching Tennis To Cardi B & Normani, Body Shaming, Son Being An Accident + More
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
I kept this way up at Angela Yee, and this
is exciting. Tailor Townsend is here getting ready for.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
The US Open.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Hello, how you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
I'm good? The question is how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Girl? I'm great. I'm working. Happy to be here.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
I love the city, but yes, I do. It brings
something out of me. I don't know what it is.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
New York City.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
It does.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
And the weather's not too bad.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
It was cold. This is cold to me because I
live in Atlanta.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
All right, But you grew up in Chicago too, Yes
I did. I this is not bad.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
No, this is not bad. But I was like what
I was thinking, it was gonna be like real far
real summertime. But you know, I'm not complaining. My edges
will stay intact.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Okay, that's important for us.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Listen, this so much that I want to talk to
you about as we're getting ready that you was opening.
It's such a big deal here. When I tell you,
everybody's like, are you going to the US Open?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Are you going?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Every single year? And so I know for you it's
been quite a journey. Yes, but you've done a lot
and accomplished a lot in your career and you have
a lot more to go, but I think you have
such an interesting one. First of all, even just you
as a personality, seeing you teaching Cardi b tennis when
Carti was playing tennis.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Because I enjoyed watching that show.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
It was so much fun. I was actually very surprised too,
because at first I didn't know she was left handed,
so that kind of like that was interesting, but just
the whole experience was like hilarious, and like Normania is
so athletic y she is she is, so she was
able to pick up on things really fast and like
Cardi is not. So I was like, okay, I need
to figure out a middle ground here on like how
(01:30):
to do this. But it was so much fun, and
she had just come straight from the studio to shoot that,
so she was like I was making them run and
like do all this stuff and pick up all She's like, look,
I'm about to pass out. So she literally went to
the bench and laid down and was like, I'm done.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I need a present, I need a moment.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I was like, okay, clearly like and I asked her.
I was like I could have swore that like being
an entertainer, like you have to train like your law
good wins. Yeah, and like your endurance and stuff. And
she was just like, nah, I just be up there.
And I was like, well, got it.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Okay, now now I know just accordingly.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Right, I'm I'm gonna slow down the clock.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
And now let me ask you this pickleball is such
a big deal. Are you good at pickleball? Also?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
I fire, I'm not you have to be.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I feel like it's so related. It's like a mini tennis.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
It is, but it's not.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Okay, let me not say it.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
It's actually very fun, but like it is different than tennis,
like being able playing a racket sport where like you
have the hand eye coordination everything, like it makes it
easy to pick up, but like the little nuances of
the sport, like the like the dinking and like not
being able to go past a certain line and like
(02:40):
having to like touch it. And it's a wi foo ball.
So a lot of the times when I'm playing because
like it's too hard, yes, or also like when we're
up at the net in tennis, you know, for me,
like I see red, so I'm like I'm about to
kill it out, Like I'm about to hit it as
hard as I can right, but up there you can't
go past a certain spot and also like everything is
about finesse. But for us, since we have strings, like
(03:02):
you can open the racket face and like the ball
will slide up. Like it's like physics, like Okay, if
it's open, it's going to go up.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Okayout No.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
But in pickleball is the opposite because it's no strings.
It's like a paddle, so like when you hit it,
it dies, So you have to like understand like how
to like it's a lot.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
This is very technical.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Because anybody's into pickleball all of a sudden, people have
teams and yeah, it's fun in.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
The gyms and stuff like that popping up.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Yes, it's fun. It's like it's a great like social
like way to socialize. But then also what I find
that I've because I've asked a lot of people about it,
but one of the things that I find is that
it's a lot easier for people to pick up.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
You know.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
So it's like tennis can be incredibly intimidating because it's
very fast, like the ball is moving quick, the court.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Is big, you really got to run back and exactly.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
So it's like it can be intimidating. But I feel
like pickleball is like people are like, Okay, I can
do this, Like it's a little bit more manageable, but
it is fun.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
But like you know, I'm not done now. Rawlings.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
He's the first person that kind of put me up
on it a while ago. And his neighbor beats him
at picklebuy but she's like eighty years old.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
It doesn't matter. He's just nothing but a number.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
That's that is very true when it comes to that,
because I'm you seeing ladies that.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Are old men that are old and they be whooping.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Yes, listen when I tell you she beats him everything,
and it's hilarious.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
She's like an old.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
White lady strategy. That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Like, once you understand like how to work the ball
and like what you need to do, like it doesn't
matter because you can literally make it to where you
don't have to move right right, Like it's all about
how you position your opponents. So it's like if they
can do that, then like you're in trouble.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
All right now.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Leg I just had to ask you about that because
I always I have not played pickleball yet, and so yeah,
that's why I wanted to and I don't want to
play unless you're on my team and it's a doubles.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Okay, and then we'll win everything.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Okay, that's fine.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
We will play against So we're gonna find some pick
up people to play it against.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
All right, So tell me about your are now getting
ready because the US Open starts on Monday.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So what is your process like? Now?
Speaker 1 (05:02):
I know you've been, you know, going through a lot
right now. Listen, I've seen you talking about the grueling schedule.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yes, you know that you have.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
You're like, yes, But now now you're in New York,
So what is the schedule like while you're here getting ready?
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Well, ironically enough, like this is actually my first time
ever coming this early because I'm doing kind of like
a quote unquote, like you know, media week, so just
engagements and different type of things, you know, getting myself
out there in a different way. So obviously, like the
goal for me and my team is building my brand
outside of the sport and kind of like elevating in
(05:38):
that way. So you're like, all right, gotta get here early,
gotta do this, so you know, just just and doing
things outside of my comfort zone. Honestly, this week, like
I'm throwing a little event on Friday, and just like hosting,
you know, doing certain things that like maybe tennis players
quote unquote don't usually do. So just kind of trying
to think outside the box. But everything is tailored around practice, workout, physio.
(06:01):
Like I was like, that's the important thing and making
sure that I get the work done. But then also
understanding we're trying to build the brand, so can't.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Say that that's why you have to win your first
Grand Slam title at the Wimbledon too, because no better
way to get some press than that than to have
that happen to Congratulations, because that's a huge deal. And
then to be able to come to New York and
do press and be able to say I won my
first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I know, and I'm so excited to be here because
like I have so many great memories, like I made
the finals of the doubles in twenty twenty two, Like
I just I love coming to the city. So it's
just like it means a lot to be able to
like hold that accomplishment. Like yesterday we were walking and
some like random person was like, I'm such a big
fan Taylor, like and I was like that's never happened
to me before.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Like okay, like you know, I was like starting to
blush a little bit.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
But it's really nice, like just to feel the love
and to be able to kind of like have the
last Grand Slam in the US where it's just like
put that a little extra fire that you want to
like show up and show out.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
You know, how do you feel about doing press and
putting yourself out there there in this way? Because I
know it's head down work, but then it's also a
little bit of a celebration. I saw when you win,
you had a little champagne I did, and you had
to do a post and delete It's I did. You
had to do a little post and delete.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
You know.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
It was like I guess it was a little too authentic.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
It's like it was such a lot of scrutiny.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
I mean I honestly that type of stuff like I
don't really mind because I'm just like, but the media
part is fun because like I just operate as myself,
you know, so like for me, it's honestly very fun
to be able to be in rooms like this with
you and have these type of conversations and just show
up as myself, you know, and just be able to
interact with different people and just show them who I am,
(07:41):
you know, because sometimes you can't really get that.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Yeah, you know, Taylor, I want to ask you about
being yourself too, because I feel like tennis, when it
comes to black women in tennis, there's been a lot
of times when it's been them being themselves has been
criticized and treated differently than if say a white woman
was herself and playing tennis, right, even like Serena Williams
wearing what she wears, wearing a catsuit and she's very stylish,
(08:06):
but then that got criticized, or even seeing like Sloan
Stevens I saw was talking about how she gets so
many racist remarks and how racist tennis has been, you know,
as a sport, and just seeing a lot of different
people telling their stories. Naomi Osaka, that's a perfect example too,
her saying that she didn't want to do press because
of her own mental wellness and even having a child
(08:27):
and then saying she doesn't feel like herself, like she's
not in her own body. And you have a child too, yes,
you know, and we're going to get into that in
a second, but do you feel like you can authentically
be yourself, because that's the goal. But I feel like
tennis has a long way to go.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
But the one thing that is amazing is this is
actually my eleventh year on tour, and so I have
spent my entire adolescence and young adult years in this world,
and so I have grown up in this and so
I had it was very difficult, but I also had
(09:03):
the privilege of being able to be confined in those
boxes at a young age and have to figure out
how to break out of them and within that finding myself,
finding who I am, finding like where I fit in
in this whole mix, and then ultimately throughout all of
those things, I realized, like I don't fit in none
of the shit, none of it, like none of it.
(09:26):
And that was like every single box that's presented that
you know, you try to put yourself in or try
to conform to like it, just for me, it never worked.
And so having a child, having a kid and being
able to like step away from the sport for eighteen
months and then come back like it taught me so
much because I had never really been away from the game.
(09:49):
So for me, having that space where I can actually
like learn me and figure out who I am, like
completely disregarding tennis, because I'm like, at this point, tennis
does not matter. It's about me as a person, as
a mother, and like this new space and place that
I am in my life. So being able to have
that experience and like really be so strong and secure
(10:10):
within myself it has translated. But then also I have
gotten to the point where I'm like, I literally like
don't care what you guys have to say.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
You know, that's a blessing to get to that point
is It's.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
So it's so liberating because I mean, I've had to
deal with so much criticism. I mean from fourteen years old,
having people talk about my weight, my body image, what
I look like, everything on a worldwide stage, you know,
being denied opportunities because of the illusion of being out
of shape or my appearance, you know, not having a
(10:44):
body type like everybody else.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Even though you were winning in higher rank than other players.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
Yeah, Like and constantly having to prove myself in this space,
and so like I really embody like this is me
versus me at this point, and like you know, I know, yes,
of course I'm playing against someone on the other side
of the net everything. But for me, it's like me
versus me out here, and like it's just it's really
so liberating because I just have a good time. And
like I was talking to Naomi today and she was like,
(11:09):
you're so popular. I'm like, girl, i'd be saying hi,
but like, you know, it's just I just authentically just
am myself. And so it's fun to be able to
kind of like step out and branch out into these
different spaces because sometimes you don't really get a chance
to see that, you know, or you know, as athletes
were put in this box sometimes of just being an athlete,
(11:31):
you know, and then while you're playing, you're the athlete.
And then when you're done, let me branch off and
do other things and try and get myself out there.
And so it's like it's really cool to be able
to kind of like organically like mix these things in
while I'm playing and while I'm doing well, and like,
you know, I'm at the best point in my career
right now, so why not.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
And you know that's amazing. We're talking about motherhood now too.
You have your son Aiden, yes, Aiden, and first of all,
you post as cute videos with and I think people
report on just that like, oh they.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Had such a cute moment and I love you mommy.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
Yeah, people were like, how's Aiden doing? I follow him
on Instagram? What?
Speaker 1 (12:10):
But hawscary was that knowing that as a woman in
the sport right, knowing that you aren't going to have
to take a break and that is something that you
have been doing your whole life. But you wanted to
be a mother and you knew that. So talk to
me about what was going on in your head how
all of this when everything transpired? You know, I know
there had to have been some major concerns for you.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Girl.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Well, first off, I did not want to be a mom.
I did not want kids. You didn't know he was
an accident. Oh okay, yeah it was a good accident.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Yeah, a great accident.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
But like I never like said I want this, like
I want kids and this and that and the third
like I never wanted like I never said that because
I've been playing tennis since I was four years old,
so always in my mind I said, like, when I'm done,
I want to be able to have my freedom to
do what I want to do.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Did you have an idea when your timeline was of
when you plan to be done, no, okay.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
And I always said and like it's kind of been
the same, but now my motto is like, if it
feels like.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
A job, I don't want to do it anymore, okay.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Like if I'm not having fun and if I'm not
enjoying myself and enjoying the process. You know, we all
have those hard times where it's like what am I
doing this for? You know, like what is going on?
But eventually you stick through it and you know you
see the reward. But like when it feels like a job,
I was like, I'm done, you know, so whenever that is,
I've actually never really thought about all I want to
(13:28):
stop at thirty or thirty five or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
So yeah, I mean it was a complete shocker for.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Me when I found out I was pregnant, and then
it was so scary, like people in my that were
in my immediate circle that I felt like should have
been supporting me, were like trying to convince me to
like not have the baby, and like you shouldn't do this.
You know, people who have kids, they never get back
to where they used to be, you know it, you know,
(13:55):
what about your body? What about this how are you
going to make money? Like just pouring just fear into me,
you know. But I was just like, no, I'm doing it.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
So and what about the father? Was he still present?
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Okay, yeah a relation?
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, we were in a relationship at
the time, like not anymore, but like you know, and
that is a whole different thing because like that taught
me a lot about myself as well, like just having
to choose you you know, like I grew up in
a split household and that was something that I never
wanted to do, like knowing that I had a child,
like you know, I don't want to do this, but
like that was so scary and it was so hard,
(14:27):
but like you know, I had to. I was like, Okay,
this is what's best for me. And it's like no, beef,
Like he's a fantastic father, like completely present and everything,
but like you know, sometimes just things don't work out right,
and so it was like, you know, but that was
kind of a Moment's like, oh, I.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Think that's what all of our goal is, to like
to have a kid with somebody and stay with him.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
But a lot of times doesn't work out.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
But it's like yeah, but like, yeah, having AJ was
like it was a complete accident, but pivoting and just
like having to adjust and like figure life out, Like
it was really scary because then I'm like, well, I'm
about to be off for at least eighteen months, like
tennis is my only source of income, Like how am
I going to make money?
Speaker 3 (15:08):
You know? How what am I going to do? You know?
Speaker 4 (15:09):
So it really made me analyze my life and then
afterwards as well, so I started doing TV broadcasting and
like doing Tennis channel and just kind of like putting
myself in a place where I can talk about something
that I know right yes, And it was really fun
for me as well because it I didn't know that
it was going to do this, but it kept me
(15:30):
connected enough to the game, so I knew that I
was away, but it kept me connected in a way.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Where I still had to watch.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
I still was, you know, in tune, and being having
to talk about it in an analytical space. I was like,
it just made me look at the game differently. So
then probably helped your game. Did I started taking notes
and I'm like, Okay, I see this and I see
that with my competition. But then I also started looking
at strengths and weaknesses of like the top players, Like
(15:57):
what are the top players do and why are they
at the top. So it changed my mind and my
perspective from like a player's mind and like in it
to like an analytical mind and like really kind of
just like being objective and just watching and seeing what's
happened instead of like sometimes as an athlete, you can
put yourself in the situation I would do this and
I would do that, right, But instead I'm just watching
(16:19):
and just kind of seeing how things are going and
then talking about it. So I was like, this is
really cool. So you know, I just I really had
to get out of my comfort zone. But everything it
ended up transpiring exactly the way that was supposed to.
I mean, everything fell into place, and you know, doing
Tennis Channel it taught me a lot. Again, like I said,
it kept me connected to the game.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
And it probably also helps you take criticism better too,
because people can be objectively watching you, yeah, just like
you were watching other players objectively and then be like okay, yeah,
well I had.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
I definitely like sympathized and empathized with like the commentators.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Because I'm just like okay.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
It's completely different like, you know, me just on the
small things like this can be so minuscule. Were like,
I am not a makeup girl, so like having to
stay in a beat face for twelve hours in a day,
I'm like and then constantly like on and off and
on and just you know, it's exhausting. So I was
just like knowing and understanding that side of it was
(17:15):
like very eye opening, Like it just gave me a
different level of respect for like it may seem easy
where it's like, oh, you're behind the desk, you do no,
these are long days, long hours. So it just gave
me like another layer of gratitude in that way. But yeah,
I mean here we are, Like I mean I was
told you're not going to get back, and like now
I'm sitting at a career high with a grand Slam
(17:36):
under my belt. Like it's really really satisfying to be
able to like turn these tables like my way.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
You know, how was it?
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Because even Hair and nayomiosaka tuk about her experience getting back,
you know, to play, how was that for you when
you finally were like Okay, I took my break, I'm
ready to go back.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
It was hard. It was so difficult.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
So when I had asked my coach, because my coach
who's coaching me now like in tennis, he's also my
strengthen conditioning coach, but at the time he was only
my trainer, you know, strengthen conditioning, so only jim stuff.
And then I asked him. I was like, hey, you know,
will you coach me? And then we sat down and
he was like, well, what do you want? And I said,
(18:17):
I want to come back better than I left. That
was my That was what I said. And he was
like okay, and had lots of conversations, but I had
no idea what that meant. I knew that it was
going to be hard, but I didn't know that it
was going to be like that, Like I had to
lose almost one hundred pounds.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Wow, like just to that.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
No, like just that in itself of like the mental
like struggles and you know, just even that part of
like regardless of tennis, that part alone of like having
to break like generational cycles of like psychological like bonds
that you had that you don't even know, like you know,
finding out that like I was a stress eater, like
(19:01):
I would eat when I was stressed out, and like
you know, just patterns and habits and behaviors that I
had to break first, first become aware of right, and
then figure out, Okay, how can I break this, you know,
because this is holding me back. So it was like
even the weight loss journey was such a way that
I had to like really evolve as a person and
(19:23):
like become something that I had really never been before,
you know, and you know that I had to do
that for almost five six months before I even touched
the tennis court.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
So I was doing because I had a C section,
so like I wasn't able to just like jump right
back into like the bounce back, which is like it's
so funny because sometimes I look and you know, you
know how Instagram is like you can't really get caught
up on that stuff, but I'd.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Be looking, I'm like what is this?
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Like what type of bounce back is this? Like waste
is like this, I'm like what is like?
Speaker 3 (19:56):
This is not real?
Speaker 1 (19:57):
It definitely people you know, really playing around with the
picture and very yeah, it's very unrealistic.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
It's so crazy because I'm like, this was not my
experience at all.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
When they have a baby, they also you know, do
a little snip snip, yeah, right as well.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Yeah, while they're on that table, I'm gonna do that.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
But it was it was like the even that.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
But yeah, I worked out for five months before even
touching the court, okay, you know, because I was just like,
I don't want to hurt myself. I gotta get some
of his weight off, you know. So just the whole journey,
like has it taught me so much just about myself
And it was not easy, but you know, it's it's
made it all worthwhile because the lessons that I've learned
(20:39):
and the person that I've become along the way, it
has given me so much strength. And that's why I'm
able to stand here and stand in these positions and
be where I am front facing like as myself.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
What's your ranking right now?
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Because it's forty six and singles and seven and doubles.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Because I know the goal was to break into the
top fifty and you've done that now top twenty yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Then okay it's next, it's next. Oh my gosh. You
should be so proud of yourself.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
And then also giving back so the Black Girl Tennis Club, Yes,
that's something now that you are also a part of
So talk to me about that decision.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Yes.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
So I'm on the board of the Black Girls Tennis Club,
which I'm really excited about. I started maybe three or
four months ago. Three months ago I was like officially
on the board with them. But I'm really excited because
so last year at Wimbledon, I was sitting in a
cafe and I was asking myself, like I just felt
like I didn't really know why I was doing what
(21:37):
I was doing. I had felt like, Okay, I proved
to myself, I can come back. You know, I'm here,
I'm playing, I'm doing my thing, like, but I didn't
really have an idea of like what's next, you know,
like after tennis, you know. And I was sitting in
a cafe and then all of a sudden, like I'm journaling,
and I was just like, I want to create a legacy,
(21:57):
like outside of just what I do on the court,
Like I want to create something that is like legendary.
And so I started writing down ideas and jotting stuff down,
and you know, just I felt as though the being
a part of the Black Girls Tennis Club while playing
and being front facing is so powerful because it first
(22:22):
is able to amplify my voice as a black woman
in the sport. I think it gives access and not
only access, but inspiration to people who may not have
even thought about picking up a racket. And that's the
one thing that I really like about the group is
that it's people who have never played before. Yeah that's great,
(22:43):
some people who play all the time, some people who
maybe have only picked up a racket one time.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
And it's not like you just run into a tennis
cary exactly in the neighborhood.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
But it's also a community, which I think is so great,
and that's what I found. I was like, this is
where the gold is and creating community within well, creating
our own community, you know, like within the sport. It
doesn't have to be on a pro level. It can
be within on all the levels. So it's just like
I'm really excited to be a part of that because
we're gonna do some great things, like I know it.
(23:13):
But just being able to be on the board while
playing and represent them while being at the US Open,
like you know, our board member is on Louis Armstrong
right now. Like it's just so powerful and it gives
I just feel like it just gives me a way
to like amplify the voice in the mission of what
they're trying to do. But ultimately it's just all about
(23:34):
just community camaraderie, just bring black women together and and.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
To be outside because yeah, you know, nowadays everybody's just
on their facetimes, on TikTok and doing all of those things.
So I'm parting to be back outside and moving again
and be around each other in real life. Yes, activity
like going down because you can't be on your phone while.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
You put the phone passable. Yes, but it's like it's
it's really fun. Like I'm super excited to like, you know,
one my schedule dies down and actually being able to
like really be a part of certain things. But like
they do activations at all the big tournaments, so I'm
able to like go and do stuff with them. I
think we're don't they have a charity event, Kenny in
(24:14):
a charity event that we're doing over the next couple
of days, they're doing something. We're at some park. So
just being able to like be a part of this
type of stuff, like while I'm still playing, I think
it's like super important.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
And thinking about how you even started playing tennis and
what it did for you when you were younger.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
Can you talk about that?
Speaker 4 (24:32):
Yeah, absolutely, it's actually funny you asked me that, so
like it's a full circle moment. Like I started in
the park, like Public Park, and it's so funny because
like I always find myself back at those type of places,
like at home. Someone asked me, she was like, do
you hit at a country club? I'm like, girl, I
hit out a park. It's the same people. You see
the same people every day, playing music, having a good time.
(24:55):
Like that's how it was, Like, that's what I remember
when I was growing up in Chicago, Like the black
tennis community was very small, and even on the South
Side it was even smaller. So everyone knows each other, right,
So you know, that's what I remember, and that's what
I find, like I gravitate towards that's what literally I
hit out of park and these people they play all
day long, saying people they're like, oh, Taylor's coming at
(25:18):
this time, Okay, like you know some people's I stayed
so I can watch you practice, like and it's not
nothing weird or anything like that, but just real love
and support. And so that's how I started and to
be able to like here at the US Open this year,
I'm actually playing mixed doubles with Donald Young and like
he's when we talk about inspiration, like I was around
(25:38):
him when I was growing up. He was number one
junior in the world, you know, multiple Grand Slam junior champion, like,
and so he was the closest thing that I had
on a day to day basis of like this being possible,
like being able to play on a professional level. And
like when I looked at him, I was like, oh,
I want to do that, you know. So I'm playing
with him in mixed doubles because he's retiring this year.
(25:59):
So like he asked me, it's like, hey, will you
like close me out?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
You know.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
So it's really cool kind of like full circle moment,
just being able to kind of like be able to
close out the career of someone that gave me the
inspiration to play and that to feel like it was
possible for me to even be out here and do
what I'm doing. So I mean, the more that I
can do that for anybody else, like anyone woman, man,
doesn't matter, like, you know, to inspire them to like
(26:24):
know that it's possible. Girls, boys like I just I
just hope that my story and me just being out
here and just being me, being myself is like is enough.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
And tennis is an expensive sport. That's something that we learned.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Even when we were watching Serena Williams and Venus Williams
come up. I think a lot of us learned a
lot about just what goes into becoming a professional tennis
player from watching that, having to pay for a coach,
having to be able to travel, pay for clothes, find
some place to go and practice period. So for you,
what was that like coming up and figuring out how
(26:56):
you were gonna actually take it to the next level?
Speaker 3 (26:59):
Yeah, it was. It was hard.
Speaker 4 (27:01):
I mean I have an older sister who played, so
she's two years older than me, and in juniors you
skip or you move up by increments of two years.
So my sister was two years older than me. So
whatever she played, I had to play up because my
parents couldn't afford to take her to Makeing and me
to Augusta, you know, and split up. So they're like, hey, Taylor,
(27:22):
you're just gonna have to go where Simone goes. So
I ended up having at eleven ten eleven, twelve years
old playing against eighteen.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Year old and it worked out so good.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
It worked out for me. But you know, just the accessibility,
like the sport is, it's so it has so many legs,
Like it has so many different things that you have
to invest in, like training, travel, like you know, just
on the in even separating practice and your training versus
like your travel and expenses when you're on the road
(27:56):
and actually going to tournaments, two separate things.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Right, It is so so.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
So expensive, and even I find that it's so difficult
at this stage to break into like pro tennis, because
it's so hard. The level is so high. You have
the nil now where, which is great because you have
the college kids having a chance to have money in
their pocket to be able to travel some and play
some tournaments. But it's really really hard, Like I mean,
(28:21):
I remember I talked about this. One time I played
a pro tournament and I walked away with twenty six
dollars in my pocket. Oh my gosh, that was my
prize money.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Twenty six dollars.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
Twenty six dollars. I made sixty six dollars with a
forty dollars deduction for entry fee, And I was like,
that can't even fill up my gas tank. So it's
like there are lots of moments and a lot of
times and like the it's a lot that you know,
people talk about the equal pay and everything at the
big tournaments, and that's great, but like the grind to.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
Get to this place is just because you were number
one in junior, yeah, and junie and then at that
time they'll still having to pay to go and even
fly yourself out.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
Yeah, And it was that was one of the decisions
that was one of the driving forces of why I
ended up. I left home at fourteen. I moved down
to Florida to train at the USTA because I knew,
I'm like, my parents can't afford me to send me
to Melbourne, Australia, and if I didn't go, who knows
if I would have won Australian Open. And that was
(29:26):
like the start of my like kicked off my junior career,
you know, in becoming number one that year. So it's
like I knew that I wouldn't have had the same
opportunities because we didn't have the same pockets.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
You know, cause it is a luxury.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
Even now, I saw you just recently talking about the
grind of like playing for three and a half weeks
straight with no breaks, but also having to figure out
how to watch chravel from here to hear Well, that's
that flight costs X amount of dollars. We can't af fly,
We're gonna have to drive overnight. I saw all of
that transpiring for you.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
And it's still not easy.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
And what was your first ever endorsement deal that you got,
Because that's another thing too, right, is also getting to
the point where like people are seeing you out there,
They're seeing you winning, they're seeing your personality, They're like,
we want to get behind her.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
Well, yeah, that's the place that we're in now because like,
as of right now, the only endorsements that I have,
well I have a couple, but like the main one
is really just my racket sponsor. Like I don't have
a clothing sponsor. I don't have a shoe sponsor. Like
so when you see me on Core, like I'm wearing
a Dida shoe, the Lululemon dress and you know, Yawnix
wristbands like you know, So for me, like that's where
(30:34):
I am right now and being able to capitalize on
my successes and build my brand so that you do
get the sponsorship. But I feel like that's that's sometimes
where athletes can go wrong because you can be so
linear and just like wanting the sponsorships in your space,
in your in your sports space, which is great, but
(30:55):
you know, what do you do after that? Like when
you're done, then what's after that? And so we're building
big picture and for me, like I had I was
a Nike athlete when I was a junior and stuff
like that, and I was like, Okay, that was cool,
but like, you know, I'm trying to build for like later,
like me as a person. So if I put down
a racket, this is still gonna keep rolling, you know.
So like it's the cool part. Like, of course, it's
(31:17):
been difficult over the last you know years. I mean,
I'm very blessed in the situation I'm in terms of
prize money to be able to kind of hold me over,
to to be able to keep rolling into my expenses,
but ultimately, like that's been my source of income, you know,
so like it can't over the last years. It can
be difficult because it's like knowing that this is the
(31:38):
only this is the only way that you're paying your bills,
and that makes it hard, you know, it puts an
additional level of pressure on you to know that you
need to perform, you know, because you have other things
like coming out, you know, and on top of that
now having a kid, and I'm like, yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
And he but you get to show him all the
positive things.
Speaker 4 (31:58):
I mean, it makes it so, it makes it so
work with it. But you know, and I try not
to show those things and those like you know, I
tried and showed and be authentic and be be truthful.
But like for him, it's just like, no, I'm gonna
get it. I'm gonna get it so that you don't
even feel it, like I'm gonna go get it, you know,
and knowing like I have that chip on my shoulder
and that those thoughts in the back of my mind.
So it's like I always have thrived really well, like
(32:19):
under pressure and like when I have a chip on
my shoulder, So like you know, there's no no motivation
like being broke honest.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Yourself in that corner. No, you gotta make this happen, you.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Gotta do it. So yeah, I'm gonna get it no
matter what.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
And I saw it was a journalist that was saying
that you're the person that you feel like that he
feels like people should be avoiding or should want to
avoid when it comes to the US open.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
How did that make you? Yeah, how did that make
you feel?
Speaker 3 (32:46):
I didn't know that. That's cool.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
Let me hold that. I'm gonna find it because I
saw this earlier course. I mean that's a yeah, he
said in.
Speaker 1 (32:52):
A very positive way, like Taylor is the person I think, yeah,
that you don't want to see at the US.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
Because I'm I'm coming. That's all I'm gonna say. I'm coming.
I made a commitment. I made a promise to myself
and my son before I left because I had a
little breakdown before I left because I was like, this
is this year. I've struggled a lot with like the
in and out of the demands, like the in and
out like having to leave for three weeks and come
(33:21):
back for three days, four days, and then leave for
four weeks and then come back for a week, and
knowing that that week that you have is not a
real week because you still have practice, still have workouts,
still have training. Like so I'm not like my time
is split, so I don't really have the ability to
just pour one hundred percent into like my home life
(33:41):
that I feel like I'm missing out on.
Speaker 3 (33:43):
So for this entire year, like I've struggled.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
So it actually the struggle started last year off season
because I was like, this is my time where I'm
supposed to like have time, Like this is off season.
I'm not playing, I'm not like I don't have tournaments,
Like why do I feel like everything's going so fast
and I have no time? And I was really struggling
like mentally, and then I was just like, okay, I'm
(34:06):
just because like it was it was really affecting me, right,
And then I was like, Okay, this Australia trip coming
up where you know you're about to be gone for
six weeks, like again another thing that's in the back
of my mind. And then I just decided I'm like okay,
like whatever time that I have, like I just really
have to make it like worthwhile. So then I started
really like pivoting and focusing more on like quality times, yeah,
(34:27):
versus like it doesn't have to be a lot, you know,
like but the time that you have like really make
it count and like be present and like make it quality.
So like that's been kind of like the thing that's
kept me balanced because like the in and out.
Speaker 3 (34:41):
Like it has.
Speaker 4 (34:42):
It's really like it's it's been hard. And I told
my manager, I was like, dang, I wish I didn't
come home.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
Like that's how I felt to leave.
Speaker 4 (34:52):
Yeah, I mean I got home Saturday and I was
leaving Tuesday six am. Like I was like, I really
wish that I didn't come because like I feel so bad,
Like there's a guilt where I'm just like myself is like.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
I missed you so much, Like are you gonna leave me?
Speaker 4 (35:05):
You're never gonna like and I'm just like I just
rather like sometimes just be stay gone, you know, Like
it's so difficult, but like I have such a great
circle and like people around me that I can lean
on and support and I know that like he knows
what I'm doing, and it's like it's not like I'm
out here just doing whatever.
Speaker 3 (35:21):
Like he can see.
Speaker 1 (35:22):
Like and you can FaceTime. Yeah, I think about back
in the day, we didn't have that.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
I know, and I'm just like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
But I just know, like sometimes he will watch my
matches when me k He's like you did a great job,
you know. So it's like it's good to know that
like he knows that it's not for like, it's not
for no reason, you know, Like I'm really I'm really
out here trying to do this for us.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Out here it is Okay.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
John Wertheim from the Tennis Channel, Okay, he's the one.
He said that you are the player that nobody wants
to face.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
Yeah, that's a good that's a good feeling.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
It's true, it's true.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
What is success to you now?
Speaker 4 (35:59):
Success to me is I feel like I'm successful right
now because I feel like I'm living in my truth
like that.
Speaker 3 (36:05):
I feel like that's success.
Speaker 4 (36:06):
Like being able to truly like just be who you are, unapologetically,
like just front facing and you know, whatever it's said
is said, whatever comes comes like and also operating in
a space in place of like gratitude and just flowing
like what's meant for me won't miss me, you know,
(36:28):
and like that's my mindset, like it won't miss me.
Like whatever is destined, ordained for me is gonna happen,
you know. So I feel like I'm truly like in
my purpose and living in my purpose and exactly where
I'm supposed to be. So like for me, success is
not about obviously you know, in being an athlete, you
want to win, and you want to win the titles
and get the trophies and all that stuff. But for me,
(36:50):
it's not really about that anymore. Like it's not about
the tangible things. It's like the process, okay, And I'm
really just enjoying the process and everything that comes along
with it. So I feel like I'm I'm successful right now.
I feel like I'm a living, breathing success. That's like
you know what walking you like, I mean, I'm just
really just enjoying like the whole ride and the whole journey,
(37:12):
because that's what it's about. Like you want to look
up and be like, dang, that was really fun, you know,
like regardless, because there are times when people who have
all the trophies and all the accolades but are like miserable.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
Yeah, you're right about that.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
Yeah, And the good thing is you have plans, Like
you also know because you had to take a break
and sit and take that eighteen months, right, you also
know all your other abilities that you've been able to hone.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
Yes, yeah that's important now and in the space that.
Speaker 4 (37:36):
You love, Yeah, and knowing that like this isn't it
Like if I decide to stop playing tomorrow, Like and
I say this all the time, and this is actually
one of the things that this is like keeps my
compass at north. If I stop playing tomorrow, would I
be happy? Like would you be okay? And for me,
every single time that I ask myself that question, I'm like, yeah,
(37:57):
I'll be fine, right, Like I'm truly like at peace.
So it's like I'm doing this and that's how I
know I'm doing this because I want to do it,
not because I have to.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
It's because I want to do.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
You feel like having your son just changed everything for
you as far as your perspective on life, and.
Speaker 4 (38:11):
Totally like it was it was the blessing that I
didn't know I needed, like cause again I did not
want kids, right, so, like it was such a shock
for me and it completely like just flipped like my
whole world upside down because I really had to be
like this is happening, Like, but it made me look
at more than anything, it made me really look at
(38:33):
myself like what kind of mother do I want to be?
It made me like I went because I'm not scared
to look in like at that dark stuff in the mirror,
like it or that shaky thing in the closet and
the door is closed and you try to lock you
throw away to key like no, So I'm not really
scared to go to those places. So for me, like
I had to address like childhood trauma, like what was
(38:55):
my experience like as a child, Like I went back
to that, like what was my experience as a Like
how did I feel when this happened with my parents?
Speaker 3 (39:02):
Like you know, okay, I'm not gonna do that.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
You know, like did you adjust that with your parents too? Ever?
I'm just trying to have those conversations with your parents.
Speaker 4 (39:10):
Yeah, I had to get I had to get understanding
and like like a grasp on what my experience was.
Speaker 3 (39:17):
But then I did. I went to my parents.
Speaker 4 (39:19):
I'm like, yeah, like I did that with my dad
with dating when I became single, I was just like, Dad,
I'm out here. I was like, there's so much that
you didn't teach me, Like what is one the heck?
Speaker 1 (39:34):
But yeah, like I think I felt like dance is
teaching keep your legs closed.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
Yeah, but like I was like, wow, but it has
made our relationship like so much better because now it's
like there was never any like hesitation in terms of
asking that, but because he had a guilt of like
what went on with us and like the divorce and everything.
You know, he just wanted to be good dad, you know,
and he's a fantastic dad. But it's like, you know,
(39:59):
sometimes you don't I want to rock the boat. But
these type of conversations and these type of things where
you got to look at yourself, it can.
Speaker 3 (40:05):
Be it can rock the boat real bad. You can
turn Titanic.
Speaker 2 (40:08):
So it's like they can sink the boat.
Speaker 3 (40:11):
They can sink the boat.
Speaker 4 (40:12):
So it's like it really has like it's made me
understand myself more.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
It gave me closure.
Speaker 4 (40:19):
In terms of my experiences as a child, and it
also helped give me direction like this was great. I
think this was very beneficial or yeah, I'm definitely not
doing that, you know what I mean. So it's just
like it gave me almost guidance and direction in a
way of like how I want to like at least
try to the best of my ability to like raise
(40:41):
my child.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
You know, how over were you the first time you
picked up the tennis racket. I was four, So your
son is three, Yes, so it's almost time.
Speaker 3 (40:48):
I hope not.
Speaker 4 (40:50):
I don't want him to play girl. No, I don't
want to go through this again. I do not want
to go through this again. And even like the sport
has changed so much so for me, like when he
if and when he gets to that place where he's
like competitive, it's gonna be like a completely different sport,
like just the whole, like the experience as a whole,
like the development, like all of the things are so different,
(41:14):
like the recruiting system, like they use UTR, where before
it was like you a one star, two star, three star,
four star, five star. That's how it was for us
when we were growing up, like one to five and
if you really go you're a blue chip okay, universal
tennis rating. So now it's like a system that's it's
an algorithm that balances your wins and losses and against
(41:36):
who you've won against and who. Like it's so intricate
and I'm just like so I hope not like I
want to immerse myself in some that I have no
idea about, Like do do like some footballs like I
I we yeah, do some football, some baseball, I don't know,
just something, but you he's gonna do something. But it's
(41:58):
just like I mean, and I'm not I use to
the fact of like he's around tennis.
Speaker 2 (42:02):
Like there's no way, yeah he's not.
Speaker 3 (42:04):
He's gonna or at.
Speaker 4 (42:05):
Least be interested in it. But like, yeah, I'm definitely
not gonna push it. We like we're gonna do a
lot of things.
Speaker 1 (42:11):
And you know earlier you did say you spoke to Naomi,
So do you feel like you have good friends when
it comes to other players.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
Because you've been around tennis.
Speaker 4 (42:22):
Yeah, Like for me, I'm just very comfortable like with
having certain conversations. And I think now like before I
never spoke to Naomi, not any shade, but like we
just never spoke.
Speaker 3 (42:34):
But after her.
Speaker 4 (42:35):
Having a kid, like and coming back, like I made
it any one any player that comes back after having
a child, like I make it a point to at
least like congratulate them and say, like, great job for
coming back, because.
Speaker 3 (42:48):
It's not easy.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
How rare is that?
Speaker 4 (42:50):
Well, it's becoming more and more like common, which I
think is amazing. And I feel very honored to be
a part of like kind of a trailblazer in that
way because like before, for if you had a child,
I mean, I'm sure you know it's like you had
you in anything in corporate America, in business, in sports,
like you had to choose between your career and like
(43:13):
a family.
Speaker 1 (43:14):
They make you feel like somebody is right there to
take your spat and you can't come.
Speaker 4 (43:17):
Back, and so it's like and you can't exactly and
you can't come back, like and you can't return and
you can't be better. Like So that was always the
stigma and the feeling and it was kind of like unspoken,
but that's just what you felt like you had to
choose between this. It was always a this or that.
And I feel like now, especially in women's sports, like you,
there are a lot of moms out there. Yeah, and
(43:38):
it's amazing to see like multiple kids one kid maybe two,
like you know, and it's being able to like not
only like come back, but be better. So it's like
I feel very fortunate to be a part of this
because I just feel like it's showing like and inspiring
that like you can do it. Like it's not the
say all end all, be all.
Speaker 1 (43:58):
I feel like you also liked to do what people
tell you can't.
Speaker 3 (44:00):
I do.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
I get that sense I do that is like that
motivates me to know end.
Speaker 2 (44:07):
Nails are list So is this what your nails are
going to be like next week? Okay?
Speaker 1 (44:11):
We like the US Open nails. I don't want you
to see mine right now. It looks terrible.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
All right, it was great.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Well, listen, I appreciate you for taking time to come through,
and we'll be watching your journey.
Speaker 4 (44:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (44:22):
I'm gonna be watching just for you and reporting on
what's happening to.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
Come to a match. Right, Yes, I'm getting you on the.
Speaker 2 (44:27):
Spot, Kenny.
Speaker 1 (44:28):
It depends, all right, are we setting this up? Okay, listening,
you got your Hollywood you know. But now, honestly, I'm
really happy for you. I'm so glad that you had
a chance when he asked me. We had to figure
out how to make it happen for you to come
up here. And anytime you want to come up here
in any capacity. It doesn't even have to just be
about tennis. Yeah, always welcome because you are a commentator officially,
(44:51):
So thank you.
Speaker 2 (44:52):
It is what it is.
Speaker 3 (44:53):
I like the way my voice sounds on the market.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
It does sound good.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
It does sound good, all right, But Taylor Towns in
we're going to be watching the US, so we'll be
watching for you the person that everybody should want to
stay away from. Nobody wants to face you, but we're
going to see why it's way up, way up,
I kept this way up at Angela Yee, and this
is exciting. Tailor Townsend is here getting ready for.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
The US Open.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Hello, how you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
I'm good? The question is how are you doing?
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Girl? I'm great. I'm working. Happy to be here.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
I love the city, but yes, I do. It brings
something out of me. I don't know what it is.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
New York City.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
It does.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
And the weather's not too bad.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
It was cold. This is cold to me because I
live in Atlanta.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
All right, But you grew up in Chicago too, Yes
I did. I this is not bad.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
No, this is not bad. But I was like what
I was thinking, it was gonna be like real far
real summertime. But you know, I'm not complaining. My edges
will stay intact.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Okay, that's important for us.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Listen, this so much that I want to talk to
you about as we're getting ready that you was opening.
It's such a big deal here. When I tell you,
everybody's like, are you going to the US Open?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Are you going?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Every single year? And so I know for you it's
been quite a journey. Yes, but you've done a lot
and accomplished a lot in your career and you have
a lot more to go, but I think you have
such an interesting one. First of all, even just you
as a personality, seeing you teaching Cardi b tennis when
Carti was playing tennis.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Because I enjoyed watching that show.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
It was so much fun. I was actually very surprised too,
because at first I didn't know she was left handed,
so that kind of like that was interesting, but just
the whole experience was like hilarious, and like Normania is
so athletic y she is she is, so she was
able to pick up on things really fast and like
Cardi is not. So I was like, okay, I need
to figure out a middle ground here on like how
(01:30):
to do this. But it was so much fun, and
she had just come straight from the studio to shoot that,
so she was like I was making them run and
like do all this stuff and pick up all She's like, look,
I'm about to pass out. So she literally went to
the bench and laid down and was like, I'm done.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I need a present, I need a moment.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I was like, okay, clearly like and I asked her.
I was like I could have swore that like being
an entertainer, like you have to train like your law
good wins. Yeah, and like your endurance and stuff. And
she was just like, nah, I just be up there.
And I was like, well, got it.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Okay, now now I know just accordingly.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Right, I'm I'm gonna slow down the clock.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
And now let me ask you this pickleball is such
a big deal. Are you good at pickleball? Also?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
I fire, I'm not you have to be.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
I feel like it's so related. It's like a mini tennis.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
It is, but it's not.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Okay, let me not say it.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
It's actually very fun, but like it is different than tennis,
like being able playing a racket sport where like you
have the hand eye coordination everything, like it makes it
easy to pick up, but like the little nuances of
the sport, like the like the dinking and like not
being able to go past a certain line and like
(02:40):
having to like touch it. And it's a wi foo ball.
So a lot of the times when I'm playing because
like it's too hard, yes, or also like when we're
up at the net in tennis, you know, for me,
like I see red, so I'm like I'm about to
kill it out, Like I'm about to hit it as
hard as I can right, but up there you can't
go past a certain spot and also like everything is
about finesse. But for us, since we have strings, like
(03:02):
you can open the racket face and like the ball
will slide up. Like it's like physics, like Okay, if
it's open, it's going to go up.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Okayout No.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
But in pickleball is the opposite because it's no strings.
It's like a paddle, so like when you hit it,
it dies, So you have to like understand like how
to like it's a lot.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
This is very technical.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Because anybody's into pickleball all of a sudden, people have
teams and yeah, it's fun in.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
The gyms and stuff like that popping up.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Yes, it's fun. It's like it's a great like social
like way to socialize. But then also what I find
that I've because I've asked a lot of people about it,
but one of the things that I find is that
it's a lot easier for people to pick up.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
You know.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
So it's like tennis can be incredibly intimidating because it's
very fast, like the ball is moving quick, the court.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Is big, you really got to run back and exactly.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
So it's like it can be intimidating. But I feel
like pickleball is like people are like, Okay, I can
do this, Like it's a little bit more manageable, but
it is fun.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
But like you know, I'm not done now. Rawlings.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
He's the first person that kind of put me up
on it a while ago. And his neighbor beats him
at picklebuy but she's like eighty years old.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
It doesn't matter. He's just nothing but a number.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
That's that is very true when it comes to that,
because I'm you seeing ladies that.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Are old men that are old and they be whooping.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Yes, listen when I tell you she beats him everything,
and it's hilarious.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
She's like an old.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
White lady strategy. That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Like, once you understand like how to work the ball
and like what you need to do, like it doesn't
matter because you can literally make it to where you
don't have to move right right, Like it's all about
how you position your opponents. So it's like if they
can do that, then like you're in trouble.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
All right now.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Leg I just had to ask you about that because
I always I have not played pickleball yet, and so yeah,
that's why I wanted to and I don't want to
play unless you're on my team and it's a doubles.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Okay, and then we'll win everything.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Okay, that's fine.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
We will play against So we're gonna find some pick
up people to play it against.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
All right, So tell me about your are now getting
ready because the US Open starts on Monday.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So what is your process like? Now?
Speaker 1 (05:02):
I know you've been, you know, going through a lot
right now. Listen, I've seen you talking about the grueling schedule.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yes, you know that you have.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
You're like, yes, But now now you're in New York,
So what is the schedule like while you're here getting ready?
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Well, ironically enough, like this is actually my first time
ever coming this early because I'm doing kind of like
a quote unquote, like you know, media week, so just
engagements and different type of things, you know, getting myself
out there in a different way. So obviously, like the
goal for me and my team is building my brand
outside of the sport and kind of like elevating in
(05:38):
that way. So you're like, all right, gotta get here early,
gotta do this, so you know, just just and doing
things outside of my comfort zone. Honestly, this week, like
I'm throwing a little event on Friday, and just like hosting,
you know, doing certain things that like maybe tennis players
quote unquote don't usually do. So just kind of trying
to think outside the box. But everything is tailored around practice, workout, physio.
(06:01):
Like I was like, that's the important thing and making
sure that I get the work done. But then also
understanding we're trying to build the brand, so can't.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Say that that's why you have to win your first
Grand Slam title at the Wimbledon too, because no better
way to get some press than that than to have
that happen to Congratulations, because that's a huge deal. And
then to be able to come to New York and
do press and be able to say I won my
first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I know, and I'm so excited to be here because
like I have so many great memories, like I made
the finals of the doubles in twenty twenty two, Like
I just I love coming to the city. So it's
just like it means a lot to be able to
like hold that accomplishment. Like yesterday we were walking and
some like random person was like, I'm such a big
fan Taylor, like and I was like that's never happened
to me before.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Like okay, like you know, I was like starting to
blush a little bit.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
But it's really nice, like just to feel the love
and to be able to kind of like have the
last Grand Slam in the US where it's just like
put that a little extra fire that you want to
like show up and show out.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
You know, how do you feel about doing press and
putting yourself out there there in this way? Because I
know it's head down work, but then it's also a
little bit of a celebration. I saw when you win,
you had a little champagne I did, and you had
to do a post and delete It's I did. You
had to do a little post and delete.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
You know.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
It was like I guess it was a little too authentic.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
It's like it was such a lot of scrutiny.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
I mean I honestly that type of stuff like I
don't really mind because I'm just like, but the media
part is fun because like I just operate as myself,
you know, so like for me, it's honestly very fun
to be able to be in rooms like this with
you and have these type of conversations and just show
up as myself, you know, and just be able to
interact with different people and just show them who I am,
(07:41):
you know, because sometimes you can't really get that.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Yeah, you know, Taylor, I want to ask you about
being yourself too, because I feel like tennis, when it
comes to black women in tennis, there's been a lot
of times when it's been them being themselves has been
criticized and treated differently than if say a white woman
was herself and playing tennis, right, even like Serena Williams
wearing what she wears, wearing a catsuit and she's very stylish,
(08:06):
but then that got criticized, or even seeing like Sloan
Stevens I saw was talking about how she gets so
many racist remarks and how racist tennis has been, you know,
as a sport, and just seeing a lot of different
people telling their stories. Naomi Osaka, that's a perfect example too,
her saying that she didn't want to do press because
of her own mental wellness and even having a child
(08:27):
and then saying she doesn't feel like herself, like she's
not in her own body. And you have a child too, yes,
you know, and we're going to get into that in
a second, but do you feel like you can authentically
be yourself, because that's the goal. But I feel like
tennis has a long way to go.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
But the one thing that is amazing is this is
actually my eleventh year on tour, and so I have
spent my entire adolescence and young adult years in this world,
and so I have grown up in this and so
I had it was very difficult, but I also had
(09:03):
the privilege of being able to be confined in those
boxes at a young age and have to figure out
how to break out of them and within that finding myself,
finding who I am, finding like where I fit in
in this whole mix, and then ultimately throughout all of
those things, I realized, like I don't fit in none
of the shit, none of it, like none of it.
(09:26):
And that was like every single box that's presented that
you know, you try to put yourself in or try
to conform to like it, just for me, it never worked.
And so having a child, having a kid and being
able to like step away from the sport for eighteen
months and then come back like it taught me so
much because I had never really been away from the game.
(09:49):
So for me, having that space where I can actually
like learn me and figure out who I am, like
completely disregarding tennis, because I'm like, at this point, tennis
does not matter. It's about me as a person, as
a mother, and like this new space and place that
I am in my life. So being able to have
that experience and like really be so strong and secure
(10:10):
within myself it has translated. But then also I have
gotten to the point where I'm like, I literally like
don't care what you guys have to say.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
You know, that's a blessing to get to that point
is It's.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
So it's so liberating because I mean, I've had to
deal with so much criticism. I mean from fourteen years old,
having people talk about my weight, my body image, what
I look like, everything on a worldwide stage, you know,
being denied opportunities because of the illusion of being out
of shape or my appearance, you know, not having a
(10:44):
body type like everybody else.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Even though you were winning in higher rank than other players.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
Yeah, Like and constantly having to prove myself in this space,
and so like I really embody like this is me
versus me at this point, and like you know, I know, yes,
of course I'm playing against someone on the other side
of the net everything. But for me, it's like me
versus me out here, and like it's just it's really
so liberating because I just have a good time. And
like I was talking to Naomi today and she was like,
(11:09):
you're so popular. I'm like, girl, i'd be saying hi,
but like, you know, it's just I just authentically just
am myself. And so it's fun to be able to
kind of like step out and branch out into these
different spaces because sometimes you don't really get a chance
to see that, you know, or you know, as athletes
were put in this box sometimes of just being an athlete,
(11:31):
you know, and then while you're playing, you're the athlete.
And then when you're done, let me branch off and
do other things and try and get myself out there.
And so it's like it's really cool to be able
to kind of like organically like mix these things in
while I'm playing and while I'm doing well, and like,
you know, I'm at the best point in my career
right now, so why not.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
And you know that's amazing. We're talking about motherhood now too.
You have your son Aiden, yes, Aiden, and first of all,
you post as cute videos with and I think people
report on just that like, oh they.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Had such a cute moment and I love you mommy.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
Yeah, people were like, how's Aiden doing? I follow him
on Instagram? What?
Speaker 1 (12:10):
But hawscary was that knowing that as a woman in
the sport right, knowing that you aren't going to have
to take a break and that is something that you
have been doing your whole life. But you wanted to
be a mother and you knew that. So talk to
me about what was going on in your head how
all of this when everything transpired? You know, I know
there had to have been some major concerns for you.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Girl.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Well, first off, I did not want to be a mom.
I did not want kids. You didn't know he was
an accident. Oh okay, yeah it was a good accident.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Yeah, a great accident.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
But like I never like said I want this, like
I want kids and this and that and the third
like I never wanted like I never said that because
I've been playing tennis since I was four years old,
so always in my mind I said, like, when I'm done,
I want to be able to have my freedom to
do what I want to do.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Did you have an idea when your timeline was of
when you plan to be done, no, okay.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
And I always said and like it's kind of been
the same, but now my motto is like, if it
feels like.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
A job, I don't want to do it anymore, okay.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Like if I'm not having fun and if I'm not
enjoying myself and enjoying the process. You know, we all
have those hard times where it's like what am I
doing this for? You know, like what is going on?
But eventually you stick through it and you know you
see the reward. But like when it feels like a job,
I was like, I'm done, you know, so whenever that is,
I've actually never really thought about all I want to
(13:28):
stop at thirty or thirty five or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
So yeah, I mean it was a complete shocker for.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Me when I found out I was pregnant, and then
it was so scary, like people in my that were
in my immediate circle that I felt like should have
been supporting me, were like trying to convince me to
like not have the baby, and like you shouldn't do this.
You know, people who have kids, they never get back
to where they used to be, you know it, you know,
(13:55):
what about your body? What about this how are you
going to make money? Like just pouring just fear into me,
you know. But I was just like, no, I'm doing it.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
So and what about the father? Was he still present?
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Okay, yeah a relation?
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah, we were in a relationship at
the time, like not anymore, but like you know, and
that is a whole different thing because like that taught
me a lot about myself as well, like just having
to choose you you know, like I grew up in
a split household and that was something that I never
wanted to do, like knowing that I had a child,
like you know, I don't want to do this, but
like that was so scary and it was so hard,
(14:27):
but like you know, I had to. I was like, Okay,
this is what's best for me. And it's like no, beef,
Like he's a fantastic father, like completely present and everything,
but like you know, sometimes just things don't work out right,
and so it was like, you know, but that was
kind of a Moment's like, oh, I.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Think that's what all of our goal is, to like
to have a kid with somebody and stay with him.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
But a lot of times doesn't work out.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
But it's like yeah, but like, yeah, having AJ was
like it was a complete accident, but pivoting and just
like having to adjust and like figure life out, Like
it was really scary because then I'm like, well, I'm
about to be off for at least eighteen months, like
tennis is my only source of income, Like how am
I going to make money?
Speaker 3 (15:08):
You know? How what am I going to do? You know?
Speaker 4 (15:09):
So it really made me analyze my life and then
afterwards as well, so I started doing TV broadcasting and
like doing Tennis channel and just kind of like putting
myself in a place where I can talk about something
that I know right yes, And it was really fun
for me as well because it I didn't know that
it was going to do this, but it kept me
(15:30):
connected enough to the game, so I knew that I
was away, but it kept me connected in a way.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Where I still had to watch.
Speaker 4 (15:37):
I still was, you know, in tune, and being having
to talk about it in an analytical space. I was like,
it just made me look at the game differently. So
then probably helped your game. Did I started taking notes
and I'm like, Okay, I see this and I see
that with my competition. But then I also started looking
at strengths and weaknesses of like the top players, Like
(15:57):
what are the top players do and why are they
at the top. So it changed my mind and my
perspective from like a player's mind and like in it
to like an analytical mind and like really kind of
just like being objective and just watching and seeing what's
happened instead of like sometimes as an athlete, you can
put yourself in the situation I would do this and
I would do that, right, But instead I'm just watching
(16:19):
and just kind of seeing how things are going and
then talking about it. So I was like, this is
really cool. So you know, I just I really had
to get out of my comfort zone. But everything it
ended up transpiring exactly the way that was supposed to.
I mean, everything fell into place, and you know, doing
Tennis Channel it taught me a lot. Again, like I said,
it kept me connected to the game.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
And it probably also helps you take criticism better too,
because people can be objectively watching you, yeah, just like
you were watching other players objectively and then be like okay, yeah,
well I had.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
I definitely like sympathized and empathized with like the commentators.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Because I'm just like okay.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
It's completely different like, you know, me just on the
small things like this can be so minuscule. Were like,
I am not a makeup girl, so like having to
stay in a beat face for twelve hours in a day,
I'm like and then constantly like on and off and
on and just you know, it's exhausting. So I was
just like knowing and understanding that side of it was
(17:15):
like very eye opening, Like it just gave me a
different level of respect for like it may seem easy
where it's like, oh, you're behind the desk, you do no,
these are long days, long hours. So it just gave
me like another layer of gratitude in that way. But yeah,
I mean here we are, Like I mean I was
told you're not going to get back, and like now
I'm sitting at a career high with a grand Slam
(17:36):
under my belt. Like it's really really satisfying to be
able to like turn these tables like my way.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
You know, how was it?
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Because even Hair and nayomiosaka tuk about her experience getting back,
you know, to play, how was that for you when
you finally were like Okay, I took my break, I'm
ready to go back.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
It was hard. It was so difficult.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
So when I had asked my coach, because my coach
who's coaching me now like in tennis, he's also my
strengthen conditioning coach, but at the time he was only
my trainer, you know, strengthen conditioning, so only jim stuff.
And then I asked him. I was like, hey, you know,
will you coach me? And then we sat down and
he was like, well, what do you want? And I said,
(18:17):
I want to come back better than I left. That
was my That was what I said. And he was
like okay, and had lots of conversations, but I had
no idea what that meant. I knew that it was
going to be hard, but I didn't know that it
was going to be like that, Like I had to
lose almost one hundred pounds.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Wow, like just to that.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
No, like just that in itself of like the mental
like struggles and you know, just even that part of
like regardless of tennis, that part alone of like having
to break like generational cycles of like psychological like bonds
that you had that you don't even know, like you know,
finding out that like I was a stress eater, like
(19:01):
I would eat when I was stressed out, and like
you know, just patterns and habits and behaviors that I
had to break first, first become aware of right, and
then figure out, Okay, how can I break this, you know,
because this is holding me back. So it was like
even the weight loss journey was such a way that
I had to like really evolve as a person and
(19:23):
like become something that I had really never been before,
you know, and you know that I had to do
that for almost five six months before I even touched
the tennis court.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
So I was doing because I had a C section,
so like I wasn't able to just like jump right
back into like the bounce back, which is like it's
so funny because sometimes I look and you know, you
know how Instagram is like you can't really get caught
up on that stuff, but I'd.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Be looking, I'm like what is this?
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Like what type of bounce back is this? Like waste
is like this, I'm like what is like?
Speaker 3 (19:56):
This is not real?
Speaker 1 (19:57):
It definitely people you know, really playing around with the
picture and very yeah, it's very unrealistic.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
It's so crazy because I'm like, this was not my
experience at all.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
When they have a baby, they also you know, do
a little snip snip, yeah, right as well.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Yeah, while they're on that table, I'm gonna do that.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
But it was it was like the even that.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
But yeah, I worked out for five months before even
touching the court, okay, you know, because I was just like,
I don't want to hurt myself. I gotta get some
of his weight off, you know. So just the whole journey,
like has it taught me so much just about myself
And it was not easy, but you know, it's it's
made it all worthwhile because the lessons that I've learned
(20:39):
and the person that I've become along the way, it
has given me so much strength. And that's why I'm
able to stand here and stand in these positions and
be where I am front facing like as myself.
Speaker 2 (20:50):
What's your ranking right now?
Speaker 3 (20:52):
Because it's forty six and singles and seven and doubles.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Because I know the goal was to break into the
top fifty and you've done that now top twenty yeah, and.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Then okay it's next, it's next. Oh my gosh. You
should be so proud of yourself.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
And then also giving back so the Black Girl Tennis Club, Yes,
that's something now that you are also a part of
So talk to me about that decision.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Yes.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
So I'm on the board of the Black Girls Tennis Club,
which I'm really excited about. I started maybe three or
four months ago. Three months ago I was like officially
on the board with them. But I'm really excited because
so last year at Wimbledon, I was sitting in a
cafe and I was asking myself, like I just felt
like I didn't really know why I was doing what
(21:37):
I was doing. I had felt like, Okay, I proved
to myself, I can come back. You know, I'm here,
I'm playing, I'm doing my thing, like, but I didn't
really have an idea of like what's next, you know,
like after tennis, you know. And I was sitting in
a cafe and then all of a sudden, like I'm journaling,
and I was just like, I want to create a legacy,
(21:57):
like outside of just what I do on the court,
Like I want to create something that is like legendary.
And so I started writing down ideas and jotting stuff down,
and you know, just I felt as though the being
a part of the Black Girls Tennis Club while playing
and being front facing is so powerful because it first
(22:22):
is able to amplify my voice as a black woman
in the sport. I think it gives access and not
only access, but inspiration to people who may not have
even thought about picking up a racket. And that's the
one thing that I really like about the group is
that it's people who have never played before. Yeah that's great,
(22:43):
some people who play all the time, some people who
maybe have only picked up a racket one time.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
And it's not like you just run into a tennis
cary exactly in the neighborhood.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
But it's also a community, which I think is so great,
and that's what I found. I was like, this is
where the gold is and creating community within well, creating
our own community, you know, like within the sport. It
doesn't have to be on a pro level. It can
be within on all the levels. So it's just like
I'm really excited to be a part of that because
we're gonna do some great things, like I know it.
(23:13):
But just being able to be on the board while
playing and represent them while being at the US Open,
like you know, our board member is on Louis Armstrong
right now. Like it's just so powerful and it gives
I just feel like it just gives me a way
to like amplify the voice in the mission of what
they're trying to do. But ultimately it's just all about
(23:34):
just community camaraderie, just bring black women together and and.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
To be outside because yeah, you know, nowadays everybody's just
on their facetimes, on TikTok and doing all of those things.
So I'm parting to be back outside and moving again
and be around each other in real life. Yes, activity
like going down because you can't be on your phone while.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
You put the phone passable. Yes, but it's like it's
it's really fun. Like I'm super excited to like, you know,
one my schedule dies down and actually being able to
like really be a part of certain things. But like
they do activations at all the big tournaments, so I'm
able to like go and do stuff with them. I
think we're don't they have a charity event, Kenny in
(24:14):
a charity event that we're doing over the next couple
of days, they're doing something. We're at some park. So
just being able to like be a part of this
type of stuff, like while I'm still playing, I think
it's like super important.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
And thinking about how you even started playing tennis and
what it did for you when you were younger.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
Can you talk about that?
Speaker 4 (24:32):
Yeah, absolutely, it's actually funny you asked me that, so
like it's a full circle moment. Like I started in
the park, like Public Park, and it's so funny because
like I always find myself back at those type of places,
like at home. Someone asked me, she was like, do
you hit at a country club? I'm like, girl, I
hit out a park. It's the same people. You see
the same people every day, playing music, having a good time.
(24:55):
Like that's how it was, Like, that's what I remember
when I was growing up in Chicago, Like the black
tennis community was very small, and even on the South
Side it was even smaller. So everyone knows each other, right,
So you know, that's what I remember, and that's what
I find, like I gravitate towards that's what literally I
hit out of park and these people they play all
day long, saying people they're like, oh, Taylor's coming at
(25:18):
this time, Okay, like you know some people's I stayed
so I can watch you practice, like and it's not
nothing weird or anything like that, but just real love
and support. And so that's how I started and to
be able to like here at the US Open this year,
I'm actually playing mixed doubles with Donald Young and like
he's when we talk about inspiration, like I was around
(25:38):
him when I was growing up. He was number one
junior in the world, you know, multiple Grand Slam junior champion, like,
and so he was the closest thing that I had
on a day to day basis of like this being possible,
like being able to play on a professional level. And
like when I looked at him, I was like, oh,
I want to do that, you know. So I'm playing
with him in mixed doubles because he's retiring this year.
(25:59):
So like he asked me, it's like, hey, will you
like close me out?
Speaker 2 (26:01):
You know.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
So it's really cool kind of like full circle moment,
just being able to kind of like be able to
close out the career of someone that gave me the
inspiration to play and that to feel like it was
possible for me to even be out here and do
what I'm doing. So I mean, the more that I
can do that for anybody else, like anyone woman, man,
doesn't matter, like, you know, to inspire them to like
(26:24):
know that it's possible. Girls, boys like I just I
just hope that my story and me just being out
here and just being me, being myself is like is enough.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
And tennis is an expensive sport. That's something that we learned.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Even when we were watching Serena Williams and Venus Williams
come up. I think a lot of us learned a
lot about just what goes into becoming a professional tennis
player from watching that, having to pay for a coach,
having to be able to travel, pay for clothes, find
some place to go and practice period. So for you,
what was that like coming up and figuring out how
(26:56):
you were gonna actually take it to the next level?
Speaker 3 (26:59):
Yeah, it was. It was hard.
Speaker 4 (27:01):
I mean I have an older sister who played, so
she's two years older than me, and in juniors you
skip or you move up by increments of two years.
So my sister was two years older than me. So
whatever she played, I had to play up because my
parents couldn't afford to take her to Makeing and me
to Augusta, you know, and split up. So they're like, hey, Taylor,
(27:22):
you're just gonna have to go where Simone goes. So
I ended up having at eleven ten eleven, twelve years
old playing against eighteen.
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Year old and it worked out so good.
Speaker 4 (27:34):
It worked out for me. But you know, just the accessibility,
like the sport is, it's so it has so many legs,
Like it has so many different things that you have
to invest in, like training, travel, like you know, just
on the in even separating practice and your training versus
like your travel and expenses when you're on the road
(27:56):
and actually going to tournaments, two separate things.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Right, It is so so.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
So expensive, and even I find that it's so difficult
at this stage to break into like pro tennis, because
it's so hard. The level is so high. You have
the nil now where, which is great because you have
the college kids having a chance to have money in
their pocket to be able to travel some and play
some tournaments. But it's really really hard, Like I mean,
(28:21):
I remember I talked about this. One time I played
a pro tournament and I walked away with twenty six
dollars in my pocket. Oh my gosh, that was my
prize money.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Twenty six dollars.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
Twenty six dollars. I made sixty six dollars with a
forty dollars deduction for entry fee, And I was like,
that can't even fill up my gas tank. So it's
like there are lots of moments and a lot of
times and like the it's a lot that you know,
people talk about the equal pay and everything at the
big tournaments, and that's great, but like the grind to.
Speaker 1 (28:55):
Get to this place is just because you were number
one in junior, yeah, and junie and then at that
time they'll still having to pay to go and even
fly yourself out.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
Yeah, And it was that was one of the decisions
that was one of the driving forces of why I
ended up. I left home at fourteen. I moved down
to Florida to train at the USTA because I knew,
I'm like, my parents can't afford me to send me
to Melbourne, Australia, and if I didn't go, who knows
if I would have won Australian Open. And that was
(29:26):
like the start of my like kicked off my junior career,
you know, in becoming number one that year. So it's
like I knew that I wouldn't have had the same
opportunities because we didn't have the same pockets.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
You know, cause it is a luxury.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
Even now, I saw you just recently talking about the
grind of like playing for three and a half weeks
straight with no breaks, but also having to figure out
how to watch chravel from here to hear Well, that's
that flight costs X amount of dollars. We can't af fly,
We're gonna have to drive overnight. I saw all of
that transpiring for you.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
And it's still not easy.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
And what was your first ever endorsement deal that you got,
Because that's another thing too, right, is also getting to
the point where like people are seeing you out there,
They're seeing you winning, they're seeing your personality, They're like,
we want to get behind her.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
Well, yeah, that's the place that we're in now because like,
as of right now, the only endorsements that I have,
well I have a couple, but like the main one
is really just my racket sponsor. Like I don't have
a clothing sponsor. I don't have a shoe sponsor. Like
so when you see me on Core, like I'm wearing
a Dida shoe, the Lululemon dress and you know, Yawnix
wristbands like you know, So for me, like that's where
(30:34):
I am right now and being able to capitalize on
my successes and build my brand so that you do
get the sponsorship. But I feel like that's that's sometimes
where athletes can go wrong because you can be so
linear and just like wanting the sponsorships in your space,
in your in your sports space, which is great, but
(30:55):
you know, what do you do after that? Like when
you're done, then what's after that? And so we're building
big picture and for me, like I had I was
a Nike athlete when I was a junior and stuff
like that, and I was like, Okay, that was cool,
but like, you know, I'm trying to build for like later,
like me as a person. So if I put down
a racket, this is still gonna keep rolling, you know.
So like it's the cool part. Like, of course, it's
(31:17):
been difficult over the last you know years. I mean,
I'm very blessed in the situation I'm in terms of
prize money to be able to kind of hold me over,
to to be able to keep rolling into my expenses,
but ultimately, like that's been my source of income, you know,
so like it can't over the last years. It can
be difficult because it's like knowing that this is the
(31:38):
only this is the only way that you're paying your bills,
and that makes it hard, you know, it puts an
additional level of pressure on you to know that you
need to perform, you know, because you have other things
like coming out, you know, and on top of that
now having a kid, and I'm like, yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
And he but you get to show him all the
positive things.
Speaker 4 (31:58):
I mean, it makes it so, it makes it so
work with it. But you know, and I try not
to show those things and those like you know, I
tried and showed and be authentic and be be truthful.
But like for him, it's just like, no, I'm gonna
get it. I'm gonna get it so that you don't
even feel it, like I'm gonna go get it, you know,
and knowing like I have that chip on my shoulder
and that those thoughts in the back of my mind.
So it's like I always have thrived really well, like
(32:19):
under pressure and like when I have a chip on
my shoulder, So like you know, there's no no motivation
like being broke honest.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Yourself in that corner. No, you gotta make this happen, you.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Gotta do it. So yeah, I'm gonna get it no
matter what.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
And I saw it was a journalist that was saying
that you're the person that you feel like that he
feels like people should be avoiding or should want to
avoid when it comes to the US open.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
How did that make you? Yeah, how did that make
you feel?
Speaker 3 (32:46):
I didn't know that. That's cool.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
Let me hold that. I'm gonna find it because I
saw this earlier course. I mean that's a yeah, he
said in.
Speaker 1 (32:52):
A very positive way, like Taylor is the person I think, yeah,
that you don't want to see at the US.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
Because I'm I'm coming. That's all I'm gonna say. I'm coming.
I made a commitment. I made a promise to myself
and my son before I left because I had a
little breakdown before I left because I was like, this
is this year. I've struggled a lot with like the
in and out of the demands, like the in and
out like having to leave for three weeks and come
(33:21):
back for three days, four days, and then leave for
four weeks and then come back for a week, and
knowing that that week that you have is not a
real week because you still have practice, still have workouts,
still have training. Like so I'm not like my time
is split, so I don't really have the ability to
just pour one hundred percent into like my home life
(33:41):
that I feel like I'm missing out on.
Speaker 3 (33:43):
So for this entire year, like I've struggled.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
So it actually the struggle started last year off season
because I was like, this is my time where I'm
supposed to like have time, Like this is off season.
I'm not playing, I'm not like I don't have tournaments,
Like why do I feel like everything's going so fast
and I have no time? And I was really struggling
like mentally, and then I was just like, okay, I'm
(34:06):
just because like it was it was really affecting me, right,
And then I was like, Okay, this Australia trip coming
up where you know you're about to be gone for
six weeks, like again another thing that's in the back
of my mind. And then I just decided I'm like okay,
like whatever time that I have, like I just really
have to make it like worthwhile. So then I started
really like pivoting and focusing more on like quality times, yeah,
(34:27):
versus like it doesn't have to be a lot, you know,
like but the time that you have like really make
it count and like be present and like make it quality.
So like that's been kind of like the thing that's
kept me balanced because like the in and out.
Speaker 3 (34:41):
Like it has.
Speaker 4 (34:42):
It's really like it's it's been hard. And I told
my manager, I was like, dang, I wish I didn't
come home.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
Like that's how I felt to leave.
Speaker 4 (34:52):
Yeah, I mean I got home Saturday and I was
leaving Tuesday six am. Like I was like, I really
wish that I didn't come because like I feel so bad,
Like there's a guilt where I'm just like myself is like.
Speaker 3 (35:01):
I missed you so much, Like are you gonna leave me?
Speaker 4 (35:05):
You're never gonna like and I'm just like I just
rather like sometimes just be stay gone, you know, Like
it's so difficult, but like I have such a great
circle and like people around me that I can lean
on and support and I know that like he knows
what I'm doing, and it's like it's not like I'm
out here just doing whatever.
Speaker 3 (35:21):
Like he can see.
Speaker 1 (35:22):
Like and you can FaceTime. Yeah, I think about back
in the day, we didn't have that.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
I know, and I'm just like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 4 (35:29):
But I just know, like sometimes he will watch my
matches when me k He's like you did a great job,
you know. So it's like it's good to know that
like he knows that it's not for like, it's not
for no reason, you know, Like I'm really I'm really
out here trying to do this for us.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Out here it is Okay.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
John Wertheim from the Tennis Channel, Okay, he's the one.
He said that you are the player that nobody wants
to face.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
Yeah, that's a good that's a good feeling.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
It's true, it's true.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
What is success to you now?
Speaker 4 (35:59):
Success to me is I feel like I'm successful right
now because I feel like I'm living in my truth
like that.
Speaker 3 (36:05):
I feel like that's success.
Speaker 4 (36:06):
Like being able to truly like just be who you are, unapologetically,
like just front facing and you know, whatever it's said
is said, whatever comes comes like and also operating in
a space in place of like gratitude and just flowing
like what's meant for me won't miss me, you know,
(36:28):
and like that's my mindset, like it won't miss me.
Like whatever is destined, ordained for me is gonna happen,
you know. So I feel like I'm truly like in
my purpose and living in my purpose and exactly where
I'm supposed to be. So like for me, success is
not about obviously you know, in being an athlete, you
want to win, and you want to win the titles
and get the trophies and all that stuff. But for me,
(36:50):
it's not really about that anymore. Like it's not about
the tangible things. It's like the process, okay, And I'm
really just enjoying the process and everything that comes along
with it. So I feel like I'm I'm successful right now.
I feel like I'm a living, breathing success. That's like
you know what walking you like, I mean, I'm just
really just enjoying like the whole ride and the whole journey,
(37:12):
because that's what it's about. Like you want to look
up and be like, dang, that was really fun, you know,
like regardless, because there are times when people who have
all the trophies and all the accolades but are like miserable.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
Yeah, you're right about that.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
Yeah, And the good thing is you have plans, Like
you also know because you had to take a break
and sit and take that eighteen months, right, you also
know all your other abilities that you've been able to hone.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
Yes, yeah that's important now and in the space that.
Speaker 4 (37:36):
You love, Yeah, and knowing that like this isn't it
Like if I decide to stop playing tomorrow, Like and
I say this all the time, and this is actually
one of the things that this is like keeps my
compass at north. If I stop playing tomorrow, would I
be happy? Like would you be okay? And for me,
every single time that I ask myself that question, I'm like, yeah,
(37:57):
I'll be fine, right, Like I'm truly like at peace.
So it's like I'm doing this and that's how I
know I'm doing this because I want to do it,
not because I have to.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
It's because I want to do.
Speaker 1 (38:07):
You feel like having your son just changed everything for
you as far as your perspective on life, and.
Speaker 4 (38:11):
Totally like it was it was the blessing that I
didn't know I needed, like cause again I did not
want kids, right, so, like it was such a shock
for me and it completely like just flipped like my
whole world upside down because I really had to be
like this is happening, Like, but it made me look
at more than anything, it made me really look at
(38:33):
myself like what kind of mother do I want to be?
It made me like I went because I'm not scared
to look in like at that dark stuff in the mirror,
like it or that shaky thing in the closet and
the door is closed and you try to lock you
throw away to key like no, So I'm not really
scared to go to those places. So for me, like
I had to address like childhood trauma, like what was
(38:55):
my experience like as a child, Like I went back
to that, like what was my experience as a Like
how did I feel when this happened with my parents?
Speaker 3 (39:02):
Like you know, okay, I'm not gonna do that.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
You know, like did you adjust that with your parents too? Ever?
I'm just trying to have those conversations with your parents.
Speaker 4 (39:10):
Yeah, I had to get I had to get understanding
and like like a grasp on what my experience was.
Speaker 3 (39:17):
But then I did. I went to my parents.
Speaker 4 (39:19):
I'm like, yeah, like I did that with my dad
with dating when I became single, I was just like, Dad,
I'm out here. I was like, there's so much that
you didn't teach me, Like what is one the heck?
Speaker 1 (39:34):
But yeah, like I think I felt like dance is
teaching keep your legs closed.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
Yeah, but like I was like, wow, but it has
made our relationship like so much better because now it's
like there was never any like hesitation in terms of
asking that, but because he had a guilt of like
what went on with us and like the divorce and everything.
You know, he just wanted to be good dad, you know,
and he's a fantastic dad. But it's like, you know,
(39:59):
sometimes you don't I want to rock the boat. But
these type of conversations and these type of things where
you got to look at yourself, it can.
Speaker 3 (40:05):
Be it can rock the boat real bad. You can
turn Titanic.
Speaker 2 (40:08):
So it's like they can sink the boat.
Speaker 3 (40:11):
They can sink the boat.
Speaker 4 (40:12):
So it's like it really has like it's made me
understand myself more.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
It gave me closure.
Speaker 4 (40:19):
In terms of my experiences as a child, and it
also helped give me direction like this was great. I
think this was very beneficial or yeah, I'm definitely not
doing that, you know what I mean. So it's just
like it gave me almost guidance and direction in a
way of like how I want to like at least
try to the best of my ability to like raise
(40:41):
my child.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
You know, how over were you the first time you
picked up the tennis racket. I was four, So your
son is three, Yes, so it's almost time.
Speaker 3 (40:48):
I hope not.
Speaker 4 (40:50):
I don't want him to play girl. No, I don't
want to go through this again. I do not want
to go through this again. And even like the sport
has changed so much so for me, like when he
if and when he gets to that place where he's
like competitive, it's gonna be like a completely different sport,
like just the whole, like the experience as a whole,
like the development, like all of the things are so different,
(41:14):
like the recruiting system, like they use UTR, where before
it was like you a one star, two star, three star,
four star, five star. That's how it was for us
when we were growing up, like one to five and
if you really go you're a blue chip okay, universal
tennis rating. So now it's like a system that's it's
an algorithm that balances your wins and losses and against
(41:36):
who you've won against and who. Like it's so intricate
and I'm just like so I hope not like I
want to immerse myself in some that I have no
idea about, Like do do like some footballs like I
I we yeah, do some football, some baseball, I don't know,
just something, but you he's gonna do something. But it's
(41:58):
just like I mean, and I'm not I use to
the fact of like he's around tennis.
Speaker 2 (42:02):
Like there's no way, yeah he's not.
Speaker 3 (42:04):
He's gonna or at.
Speaker 4 (42:05):
Least be interested in it. But like, yeah, I'm definitely
not gonna push it. We like we're gonna do a
lot of things.
Speaker 1 (42:11):
And you know earlier you did say you spoke to Naomi,
So do you feel like you have good friends when
it comes to other players.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
Because you've been around tennis.
Speaker 4 (42:22):
Yeah, Like for me, I'm just very comfortable like with
having certain conversations. And I think now like before I
never spoke to Naomi, not any shade, but like we
just never spoke.
Speaker 3 (42:34):
But after her.
Speaker 4 (42:35):
Having a kid, like and coming back, like I made
it any one any player that comes back after having
a child, like I make it a point to at
least like congratulate them and say, like, great job for
coming back, because.
Speaker 3 (42:48):
It's not easy.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
How rare is that?
Speaker 4 (42:50):
Well, it's becoming more and more like common, which I
think is amazing. And I feel very honored to be
a part of like kind of a trailblazer in that
way because like before, for if you had a child,
I mean, I'm sure you know it's like you had
you in anything in corporate America, in business, in sports,
like you had to choose between your career and like
(43:13):
a family.
Speaker 1 (43:14):
They make you feel like somebody is right there to
take your spat and you can't come.
Speaker 4 (43:17):
Back, and so it's like and you can't exactly and
you can't come back, like and you can't return and
you can't be better. Like So that was always the
stigma and the feeling and it was kind of like unspoken,
but that's just what you felt like you had to
choose between this. It was always a this or that.
And I feel like now, especially in women's sports, like you,
there are a lot of moms out there. Yeah, and
(43:38):
it's amazing to see like multiple kids one kid maybe two,
like you know, and it's being able to like not
only like come back, but be better. So it's like
I feel very fortunate to be a part of this
because I just feel like it's showing like and inspiring
that like you can do it. Like it's not the
say all end all, be all.
Speaker 1 (43:58):
I feel like you also liked to do what people
tell you can't.
Speaker 3 (44:00):
I do.
Speaker 1 (44:01):
I get that sense I do that is like that
motivates me to know end.
Speaker 2 (44:07):
Nails are list So is this what your nails are
going to be like next week? Okay?
Speaker 1 (44:11):
We like the US Open nails. I don't want you
to see mine right now. It looks terrible.
Speaker 3 (44:15):
All right, it was great.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Well, listen, I appreciate you for taking time to come through,
and we'll be watching your journey.
Speaker 4 (44:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (44:22):
I'm gonna be watching just for you and reporting on
what's happening to.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
Come to a match. Right, Yes, I'm getting you on the.
Speaker 2 (44:27):
Spot, Kenny.
Speaker 1 (44:28):
It depends, all right, are we setting this up? Okay, listening,
you got your Hollywood you know. But now, honestly, I'm
really happy for you. I'm so glad that you had
a chance when he asked me. We had to figure
out how to make it happen for you to come
up here. And anytime you want to come up here
in any capacity. It doesn't even have to just be
about tennis. Yeah, always welcome because you are a commentator officially,
(44:51):
So thank you.
Speaker 2 (44:52):
It is what it is.
Speaker 3 (44:53):
I like the way my voice sounds on the market.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
It does sound good.
Speaker 1 (44:56):
It does sound good, all right, But Taylor Towns in
we're going to be watching the US, so we'll be
watching for you the person that everybody should want to
stay away from. Nobody wants to face you, but we're
going to see why it's way up, way up,
Host
Angela Yee
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