“It is never easy being away from my son, especially for so long. I miss him,” Taylor Townsend told Essence magazine earlier this year. The American sensation was honest enough to admit that she never wanted children, but she’s now glad she had one. Townsend welcomed her son Adyn Aubrey Johnson in 2021 and has come a long way since. Though the overwhelming tour-level calendar leaves little to no time for personal affairs, the seasoned doubles player – if not physically present with her son – is always with him in spirit. Townsend’s BNP Paribas Open doubles campaign alongside No. 1 Katerina Siniakova ended in a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as she got the opportunity to jet back home and celebrate her baby boy’s birthday. Later, Coco Gauff added flavor to the special occasion with a cute message.
Townsend and Siniakova arrived for the highly anticipated tournament on the back of a doubles win at the Dubai Tennis Championships, which came as a follow-up to their second Slam win at the Australian Open. However, the fourth seed duo was unable to capitalize on their strengths in Tennis Paradise and were knocked out by the unseeded pair of American Asia Muhammad and Dutch Demi Schuurs 6-4, 4-6, [10-8].
Though it wasn’t the result she’d hoped for, Townsend’s disheartening upset opened doors for her to be present for her son’s 4th birthday in person on Friday, March 14. Taking to Instagram, the American star posted a carousel of adorable photos with her baby boy and even penned a wholesome message for him. “Screaming HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son, my everything, and my ultimate blessing! Big 4⃣.” Subsequently, her compatriot Coco Gauff commented on the post, sending her heartfelt regards to the 4-year-old saying, “Happy birthday.” It is worth noting that the World No. 3 is also fresh off her Round of 16 exit to Belinda Bencic at Indian Wells.
Before filling in her mom duties for the big day, the doubles No. 2 Townsend gave fans a glimpse of her son Adyn’s pre-birthday celebration. Her social media story featured a heartwarming photo of her son opening presents at his grandparents’ house before turning four. “Baby boy having early bday celebrations with the grandparents,” she wrote. For those unaware, Townsend has been quite open about her affection for the toddler.
On one previous occasion, she even talked about adapting to the touring pressure and, despite all the highs and lows, how she was getting better as a mother. “I’m enjoying the time 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.” While she’s still learning and navigating through the learning process, the American player hasn’t been holding back with the competitive circuit either.
With triumphant results boasting her credentials – with her becoming World No. 2 in doubles just last month – Townsend is on an all-time high. However, the 28-year-old has her priorities set straight. Nearly a year before she claimed her first doubles Major alongside Siniakova at Wimbledon, she stressed the importance of taking on her relatively new motherhood role and the important takeaways she had taken from it.
When Taylor Townsend explained that motherhood gave her a fresh perspective
Taylor Townsend, during her post-match press conference at the US Open in 2023, opened up about the challenges she faced as a single parent. The 28-year-old hilariously admitted that motherhood makes you want to “pull your hair out.” Despite the desire to control, she had come to terms with the fact that she wasn’t in charge most of the time.
“I think like being a parent makes you want to pull your hair out (laughter). I think it’s more so, like, learning and understanding when to push. Basically, to understand that most of the time, like, you want to be in control but you’re not in control, so you can control what you can, and what you can’t you got to let go,” she said.
The doubles sensation further highlighted that she realized her full potential as a player only after she took on her motherhood duties, gaining a fresh perspective. “Motherhood has given me a different perspective, more so towards the game. I have fallen back in love not only with the sport but with the process. For the longest time, I was like, I know I can, I know I can, I know I can. But now I truly believe, like, I’m a top player.”
For now, Townsend will look to spend time with her son before kicking off her second Sunshine Double campaign in Miami, slated to commence on March 19.
The post Coco Gauff Pens Down a Adorable 2-Word Message as Taylor Townsend Celebrates Her Son Adyn’s Special Day appeared first on EssentiallySports.
