Tears streamed down Taylor Townsend’s face after her 2025 Australian Open victory. “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 confessed. But her story goes deeper than just a victory. In 2020, the news of her pregnancy was a shock, a deviation from her lifelong dedication to tennis and her firm belief against having children. Yet, she embraced motherhood in 2021, becoming a fierce advocate for women in sports who dream of both career and family. On this Women’s Day, however, she peeled back another layer, revealing the constant battle with ‘lack of time’ with her son, Adyn Aubrey, a struggle so profound it pushed her to the brink of quitting.
Townsend reflected on the brutal side of her tennis life in a video shared by Togethxr, a New Digital Platform Working to Uplift the Next Generation of Women in Sports, on Instagram. On the eve of International Women’s Day, March 8th, the brand celebrated its athletes, including Townsend who’s been associated with the company for a while now. “Inspired and motivated by her son Adyn, Taylor’s ability to balance motherhood and the demanding sport of tennis is remarkable,” read the description. And while she’s been on the path of success lately, winning the Dubai Tennis Championships double title with Siniakova last month, nothing is more special than AJ.
“It’s just really frustrating for me when I get home and I only have an hour or two with my son. Like, that has been so hard. It’s been so hard. On one side, I know this is what I have to do in order for me to continue to progress and be better and get better and perform better so that I can take him on the road with me more. But on the other side, I’m just like, I just want to be here with him. Even If I can spend two more hours, three more hours, like, I just wish I had more time.”
“It pulls on me every single day.” So much so that she once even thought about leaving the career. “…I wanted to pivot. I’ve had times when I’ve stopped and I’m just like, ‘I’m done’. Like ‘This is ridiculous. I’m tired of this.’” So what really keeps her going despite this inevitable challenge while being a mother?
She said, “it ultimately always came back to me, wanting to continue. It’s just in my blood. It’s just who I am.”
But there are times when Townsend is caught with mom guilt. To manage this, she prioritizes self-care and connection with nature. She finds solace in outdoor activities and animal interactions, as well as indulging in massages and skincare routines. Initially, she struggled with internalizing the guilt, feeling pressure to overcompensate for her time away. However, she has learned to focus on creating quality time with her son, rather than fixating on the quantity of hours spent together.
After her historic win down under, she made sure to spend as much time as possible with him. Remember that adorable conversation between them after she returned home?
When Taylor Townsend revealed her motherly side following the Australian Open glory
“One of the things that was shocking was I didn’t want kids because I have spent my whole entire life playing tennis. I’ve been playing tennis since I was four,” Taylor Townsend told Essence following her doubles victory in Melbourne. But lately, it appears she’s become a stronger person because of her motherhood. Now she can’t stay away from him for even a single second. Yes, the professional commitments are there, but she tries to strike a balance. How?
“…it’s also really strange because I won a Grand Slam, and then one day later, I’m in a different country, and I get my a– kicked, and it’s crazy, but that’s just how tennis goes….I’m really enjoying the time that I have to myself. 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.”
Do you know what was the first thing she did after coming back home from Melbourne? On her IG, she shared two clips, where mother Townsend was seen having a chat with her son. Prompting him, she said, “AJ, tell the people what you said about my food and what I put in there.” His reply was funny, to say the least. “It’s so good that I can’t eat it. Your life.” In her caption, she wrote, “AJ is my best hype man and OP at the same time.”
Then there was another clip, where AJ was seen irritated as he asked her to shut off the camera and stop filming. She responded, “These are my friends; you asked to do another video.” To this, he said, “I don’t like them. Turn them off. Hey you, get away from me.”
Ultimately, her approach, “Me looking at my son’s eyes and telling him, Hey, I’m leaving, but I’m going to come back with a trophy,” encapsulates the strength and love that define their bond. What resonates most with you about Townsend’s journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “This Is Ridiculous” – Dejected Mom Taylor Townsend Reveals the Shocking Decision She Once Made Due to Tennis’ Harsh Demands appeared first on EssentiallySports.