Taylor Townsend’s always sharing updates about her son while she’s on tour, from his swimming pool fun to his adorable moments with their dog. And this Valentine’s Day was extra special! Who says it’s just for romance? Even though she had a tough time at the Qatar Open, Taylor celebrated with her little Adyn in the sweetest way.
The Australian Open doubles champion shared the sweetest gift she got on Valentine’s Day. She proudly displayed the gift the three-year-old gave his mom on her Instagram story. It was a heartwarming card filled with glittery stickers and hearts. Interestingly, she wasn’t the only one feeling the love.
Russian tennis icon Maria Sharapova enjoyed a delightful Valentine’s Day outing with her fiancé, Alexander Gilkes, and their son, Theodore, celebrating the day with alpacas. Gilkes later shared heartwarming glimpses of their adorable celebration online. Meanwhile, 20-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff spent the day with her mom, Candi, proving that Valentine’s Day is just as special with family. Frances Tiafoe, Aryna Sabalenka, and Nick Kyrgios also marked the occasion in style with their loved ones.
For Townsend, the holiday was a sweet escape from the challenges of the tour. The 2-time doubles champion became a mother on March 14, 2021, when she welcomed her son, Adyn Aubrey Johnson. She had announced her pregnancy in October 2020, just a month after competing in the US Open. A single mother, the American tennis sensation has kept details about Adyn’s father private, choosing to focus on her journey as both a parent and a professional athlete.
After her maternity leave, the 28-year-old tennis star made her return to the tour in 2022, determined to pick up where she left off. And she did just that. Townsend quickly made a name for herself in women’s doubles, reaching the finals of the 2022 US Open and the 2023 French Open. She didn’t stop there. In 2024, she won the Wimbledon Doubles title and followed it up with an Australian Open victory in 2025, both alongside Kateřina Siniaková.
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka are among the many tennis stars who have embraced motherhood while continuing their careers. But the balancing act is no easy feat.
Taylor Townsend opens up on the struggles of balancing her career alongside motherhood
Taylor Townsend’s pregnancy came as a surprise, not just because of her commitment to tennis, but also because she never planned to be a parent. It was a life-changing moment.
After her 2025 Australian Open doubles triumph, the American tennis star opened up on the challenges of a being single mom doing it all. “Being a working mom, it’s not easy, but I try and make it worthwhile and always tell him I’m leaving for a reason,” she told Essence. “Coming back with trophies kind of just shows that it was worth it.”
When the 28-year-old doubles champion is on the road without Adyn, she takes the time to reflect. “When I’m on the road, and I don’t travel with AJ, I really try and just use this time to ask myself questions and get one with myself. I try to use these opportunities to grow as a person so I come back and I’m able to instill certain lessons in him or certain realizations that I’ve maybe come to while I’ve been gone to help me to be a better mom to him. I’m enjoying it,” she said.
After a successful run in doubles, Townsend has now turned her attention to singles. But the road hasn’t been easy. Ranked No. 83, she has to fight her way through qualifiers to enter main draws. She struggled at the Singapore Open before heading to the Middle East in search of better results. However, luck hasn’t been on her side. Townsend failed to make it past the qualifiers at both the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, and Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships.
Regardless, Taylor Townsend’s heart must be full, given her son’s recent gesture.
The post Tennis Mom Taylor Townsend Receives the Heartiest Valentine Day Gift as Son Adyn Makes Her Day Special appeared first on EssentiallySports.
