After Taylor Townsend and her doubles partner, Kateřina Siniaková, knocked Venus Williams out of the women’s doubles draw on Tuesday night, the American star credited Williams for getting her into the sport in the first place.

The 29-year-old told ESPN on the court at Louis Armstrong Stadium after her win over Williams and her doubles partner, Leylah Fernandez, that she had grown up watching the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Taylor Townsend with all the respect for Venus Williams 💙 pic.twitter.com/f4EkmW17yB — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2025

“The earliest memories [of Williams] obviously watching on TV, especially here at the U.S. Open. I remember I loved her back out, Reebok dress, that’s what drew me to tennis,” Townsend said. “It was the cute outfits, it wasn’t t

See Full Page