“For people looking like us, it’s possible,” Taylor Townsend pays tribute to black athletes after playing US Open mixed doubles final with Donald Young
Taylor Townsend paid tribute to Black athletes after losing the 2024 US Open mixed doubles final alongside Donald Young.
Donald Young and Taylor Townsend (via X)
Taylor Townsend and Donald Young ended their memorable US Open mixed doubles campaign by losing to third seeds Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori in the final. The Italians won 7-6(0), 7-5 to take home the title on Thursday (September 5).
After the match, Townsend’s heartwarming speech caught everyone’s attention. The American has always been a strong advocate in the fight against racism and she highlighted this in her runner-up speech, where she paid tribute to all the Black athletes in the US Open draw.
This isn't the trophy that we wanted, but at the end of the day, I'm the only black woman left in the tournament. There are two black men left in the draw. Ultimately, I just hope Donald and I standing here, Frances in the SF, & Coco being defending champion shows people that look like us that it’s possible.Taylor Townsend in her US Open mixed doubles runners-up speech
The fight against racism has been a common theme among many Black American athletes. Tennis legend Serena Williams was one of the first prominent figures to take this stance, winning over a global audience. Additionally, she enjoyed one of the greatest tennis careers ever, winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Signs of Black athletes gaining greater recognition have become more evident recently. At the Paris Olympics, both US flag bearers, Coco Gauff and LeBron James, were Black. Townsend hopes to be equally pivotal in showing that athletes can achieve great heights, regardless of their racial background.
Taylor Townsend pays heartfelt tribute to retiring Donald Young
Donald Young, who was once ranked World No. 38, almost got the perfect end to his tennis career at the US Open. Teaming up with his longtime friend Taylor Townsend, they made it to the US Open mixed doubles final. Although they didn’t win the title, Townsend gave Young a heartfelt tribute.
Standing with Donald here means the world to me because he's been in my life forever. Watching him coming up and winning the Wimbledon juniors, the Australian Open juniors was inspirational. I don't know if I would be here today if it wasn't for him and his family.Taylor Townsend said in her speech
Young’s last tour-level victory came in 2021 and he played primarily Challenger level events in the last two years. In fact, he hadn’t played a professional tennis match all season heading into the US Open. However, he decided to formally wave goodbye to the sport at his home Grand Slam.
Young made waves very early in his career when he clinched the Australian Open boys’ singles title at the age of 15 and was also ranked World No. 1 as a junior. Young’s career highlights include victories against top players like Andy Murray and Gael Monfils in 2011, and Tomas Berdych in 2015.
At 35 years old, Young’s career is marked by as many as 124 wins at the tour level. However, he is most proud of the positive influence he had on the next generation of tennis players. Young played an important role in inspiring future tennis players, including Christopher Eubanks. Before attending Georgia Institute of Technology, Eubanks practiced with the left-hander, who had relocated to Atlanta and set up a tennis center near Eubanks’ home.
Fahad Hamid
(224 Articles Published)