Taylor Townsend has climbed to the top of the WTA doubles rankings, becoming only the 13th American to achieve this prestigious position. Her victory at the Washington Open alongside partner Zhang Shuai propelled her to the world No.1 spot, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Coco Gauff, who herself reached the top doubles ranking in August 2022, praised her compatriot's achievement.
"It's super cool. I have known Taylor for a long, long time and I always root for her," Gauff commented. "I have always considered her one of the best doubles players, right there with Siniakova as the best on tour."
Gauff expressed satisfaction that the rankings now reflect what many players already believed about Townsend's abilities. Despite having partnered with Townsend previously—a partnership that ended in a quarter-final defeat—Gauff was quick to highlight her fellow American's talents rather than dwelling on their brief collaboration.
Interestingly, Townsend's next challenge will be the US Open, her home Grand Slam which has thus far eluded her. Her closest attempt came in 2022 when she reached the final but fell short against Katerina Siniakova.
The American women's tennis scene is currently thriving, with five players in the WTA top 15. Gauff attributes this success partly to the influence of the Williams sisters, who made tennis more popular in the United States.
"I think tennis is a very popular sport among women, so a lot of our best athletes will probably choose to play tennis or track," Gauff explained when discussing American tennis prowess.
She also highlighted the camaraderie among American players as a factor in their collective success. "We all root for each other and practice with each other a lot. I think we help elevate each other," she added.
Can Townsend maintain her position at the summit of doubles tennis? With Gauff's vote of confidence and her recent form, the signs certainly look promising for the American star.
