Taylor Townsend is coming back from concussion | Interview

PARIS, France — After spending two months recovering from a concussion, Taylor Townsend is back on the court—and back in top form.

During her return at Roland Garros, Townsend turned heads not only with her game but with a series of custom-designed, one-of-a-kind kits. The two-time Grand Slam champion dropped by the Tennis Channel set in Paris to discuss her recovery, doubles success, and why she’s now taking control of her on-court fashion.

“I’m doing great," she told host Prakash Amritraj. "It was a scary situation with the concussion, but now I’m doing great… I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t OK."

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Townsend sustained the injury after falling and hitting her head during a doubles quarterfinal match with Katerina Siniakova in Miami. Despite the fall, she continued to compete, even playing the semifinal match. But the effects lingered.

“It was one of those things where I didn’t realize how bad it really was until I started doing tests and going to the doctor,” she said.

“It was tough to have to pull out of Madrid and Rome, but then I was like, ‘OK, let me just take the proper time to get healthy.’ And also, I’m not about to play with my brain!”

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“This tournament was about me getting my logo out there and people being able to see me branded,” Townsend said.

“This tournament was about me getting my logo out there and people being able to see me branded,” Townsend said. 

Back on the Grand Slam stage in Paris, Townsend debuted new outfits marked with a distinctive “TT” logo—part of a self-directed apparel initiative. She revealed she’s been working behind the scenes with creative director Alexander John—known for his collaborations with LA Gear, Puma, and Roc Nation—to develop her own line.

“This tournament was about me getting my logo out there and people being able to see me branded,” Townsend said, hinting that more custom silhouettes are coming for Wimbledon.

“I’m just taking things into my own hands,” she added. “You know, I’ve had so much success and done so many things—but I’m No. 2 in the world in doubles and I still don’t have a clothing sponsor. So I was like, why not take it into my own hands and do my own thing?

“…I’m really excited for you guys to see what’s coming—but this is just the start!”

The 29-year-old showcased her new styles across all disciplines at Roland Garros. She reached the final round of singles qualifying and entered the main draw as a lucky loser, ultimately falling in straight sets to Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

Townsend reached the Roland Garros mixed doubles final and the women's doubles quarterfinals in her custom outfits.

Townsend reached the Roland Garros mixed doubles final and the women's doubles quarterfinals in her custom outfits. 

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But it was in doubles where she truly shined—advancing to the women’s doubles quarterfinals with Siniakova and reaching the mixed doubles final alongside fellow Chicagoan Evan King.

Together, Townsend and King also helped make tennis history: for the first time ever, African-American players reached the quarterfinals (or better) in all five professional disciplines—men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles—at a single Grand Slam.

Read More: For the first time, an African-American reached the quarterfinals in all five pro disciplines at the same Grand Slam

“We’re both from the South Side of Chicago, and he said, like, ‘Tuley Park to Roland Garros!’” Townsend said of King. “And I’m like, ‘That is so crazy!’ Because that’s literally where I grew up playing and where he grew up playing.

“Like, the Black tennis community in the South Side of Chicago is not big. Everyone knows each other: We’ve all trained together, we’ve all hit together…

“It’s so fun to be able to be on the same side of the court as him, and I’m so happy for the success that he’s having… And he’s locked me up for Wimbledon!” she added with a grin.