Quote of the Day: Don’t call Taylor Townsend a doubles specialist - "I’m a tennis player, period”

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Taylor Townsend has been having a season to remember in doubles—but she wants to make sure you don’t forget that she’s not too bad in singles as well.

The American, currently ranked No. 132 in singles and No. 5 in doubles, posted a statement win at the US Open on Wednesday as she toppled No. 19 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia on a rocking Court 17. The victory sent her into the third round, her best result at a Grand Slam since returning from maternity leave last spring.

But the work wasn’t over yet, as Townsend was soon back on court partnering Leylah Fernandez in doubles on Court 10. The pair scored a commanding win over Olivia Center and Kate Fakih, 6-0, 6-3. And the 27-year-old is competing in mixed doubles, too, with Ben Shelton on Friday.

The American is an all-court threat, and she regularly hones her game in doubles—something she says she won’t stop doing even as her singles ranking continues to climb.

“Every tournament I played, I played singles and doubles. I've always done this in my career because doubles has always helped me in my singles,” Townsend explained.

“But the opportunities and the consistent going to the second week, going deep into these events, going deep into the Slams, being the last one standing—whether it's singles or whether it's doubles—it gives you that feeling.”

Q. When coming back from being off for so long, it can be hard to maintain an elite doubles ranking while building your singles. Can you talk about the sacrifices you had to make, how you had to prioritize.

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: I didn't have to prioritize. Every tournament I've played, I play singles in, so I'm a tennis player, end of. I think that sometimes when you're having success in one area more than the other, it's very easy for people to try and box you in, say, Oh, she's doing great in doubles, and that overshadows anything.

But I'm out here working. I'm a tennis player, period. It's just that right now my doubles ranking is higher than my singles, but not for long (smiling).

We need to cut that… That was a great bit. I need that!

…For me personally—it could be different for other players—but for me personally, it doesn't matter. Me being in those situations over and over is giving me the confidence and it's prepping me for the singles, in my opinion.

Townsend has lifted three trophies in doubles so far this year, all with different partners. After kicking off the season with back-to-back titles in Adelaide, with Asia Muhammed and Luisa Stefani, respectively, she claimed the biggest trophy of her career at the WTA 1000-level Cincinnati, partnering Alycia Parks. She’s also reached the final in Miami and Roland Garros, her second Grand Slam final appearance.

The result has been a steadily improving singles game, too, and the stats bear her out: She’s poised for a potential return to the WTA’s Top 100, pending other results, and currently sits at No. 101 on the WTA live rankings.

“I didn't have to prioritize. There was no sacrifice. I'm very proud of the successes that I've had in doubles,” Townsend said. “It's really helped my game tremendously. Coming off of winning Cincinnati, I'm playing really great tennis.

“Even though I lost second round or whatever round in Cincinnati, I don't even know, with the singles, but I'm carrying on the confidence of winning the doubles into my singles play. So it translates. That's all that matters.”

Townsend will face No. 10 seed Karolina Muchova in the third round of the US Open on Friday.