"I can't express in words how happy I am for Madison"

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After winning the 2025 Australian Open in the women's doubles category, Taylor Townsend has plenty of reasons to keep a wide smile throughout this week. However, listening to her recent statements, the feeling is that she is happier for Madison Keys' individual success than for herself. Starting the year by lifting the most important tournament of January? Fantastic. Seeing a friend rise from the ashes and achieve her biggest dream? That is priceless. A friendship nurtured over time that has been strengthened after their time in Melbourne.

"I spent many weekends at Madison's house, even during this last tournament we shared many nights together. She usually introduces me to the country music she is discovering, trying to guide me through that musical style," Townsend shared during the press conference after clinching her second Grand Slam title in doubles. "Honestly, I can't even express in words how happy I am for her. The first Grand Slam is always something great, you feel a sense of relief. She was close before, so I can bring the sentiment I experienced with doubles. In one way or another, overcoming that barrier always means something immense," reflected the Chicago tennis player.

And nothing better to understand the rise of an athlete than to go to one of their lowest moments, where the champions' spirit truly emerges. "I remember when she got injured at Wimbledon last year and had to retire, I saw her in the locker room and hugged her. She cried a lot on my shoulder, but I insisted that everything would be okay. Those are moments when you don't know what will happen, she thought she had torn her hamstring, which caused her a lot of uncertainty. As her friend, I am genuinely happy to see how someone I appreciate has managed to overcome certain things, I have seen her overcome many difficulties, always working to achieve something better. I can't express what I feel in words, she has definitely inspired me," valued the American.

BEYOND THE TITLES

But beyond winning your first Grand Slam at 29, as in Keys' case, and beyond continuing to build a career after becoming a mother, as in Townsend's case, there is a more relevant factor that stands out above any personal victory. Taylor knows this very well, a person who had to endure countless lack of respect at the beginning due to her origins or her physical appearance. That's why she always kept in mind what it means for a woman of color to succeed in a sport with such exposure.

"When Madison played Sloane (Stephens) in that 2017 final, they were two women of color in a Grand Slam final, and neither was Venus and Serena. Even her, being a woman of color winning here, in addition to myself, I think it's very inspiring. It's extremely important for things like this to happen so that many girls and boys look up to us," she concluded, touched.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “No puedo expresar con palabras lo feliz que estoy por Madison”