I’ll be honest. I’m fatigued. I’m sick and tired of athletes and media constantly making everything about race. It’s incredibly tiresome, divisive, and a massive waste of everyone’s time.
It’s 2026 and we have a Black tennis player, a darn good one, complete the career Grand Slam in women’s doubles after a decisive victory, and what does she do at the podium immediately following? She makes it about race. Good grief.
Taylor Townsend in action against Mirra Andreeva in the third round of the women’s singles at the 2025 U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, on Aug. 29, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imagn Images)
Taylor Townsend, who was sponsored by race-baiting civil rights attorney Ben Crump throughout the US Open tournament in New York, alongside her partner Katerina Siniakova (White) defeated former junior champion Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2, in the 2026 US Open women’s doubles final to capture their first title in Flushing Meadows as a team.
Townsend took to the mic following their victory to grandstand about Black “representation” and taking pride in the color of her skin. Yeah, that’s exactly what everyone wants to hear is you talk about your immutable characteristics that don’t hinder your ability, assist in your play, or have anything to do with your impressive performance on a court that is literally named after a famous Black tennis player, Arthur Ashe.
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“I take a lot of pride in this: Being a Black woman here,” Townsend said in her victory speech. “It’s two Black women here in this finals. They’re two Black men in the semifinals,” she added talking about her opponent Montgomery as well as Tiafoe and Shelton, who face-off Friday night.
Taylor Townsend of the United States in action against Jelena Ostapenko in the second round of the women’s singles at the US Open at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Mike Frey/Imagn Images)
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Townsend then followed up with, “This is a phenomenal time for tennis, for inspiration, for representation.” And there it is. The buzzword she has used over and over and over again at the US Open.
In 2025, Townsend, after defeating Mirra Andreeva, said, “I wanna say thank you to everyone who supported me… It’s bigger than me. It’s about the message and representation.” Remember, this sports most famous female tennis player is Black (Serena Williams). Again, she’s playing on a court named after a Black tennis player. There’s no discrimination or lack of acceptance for Black athletes in tennis happening. She’s painting herself as some sort of civil right leader and trailblazer, when it just comes across as racially idolatrous.
Taylor Townsend of the United States in action against Jelena Ostapenko in the second round of the women’s singles at the US Open at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 27, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imagn Images)
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In 2024, after the 2024 U.S. Open mixed-doubles final, when Taylor Townsend and Donald Young lost to Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Townsend made it about race saying, “This isn’t the trophy that we wanted. But at the end of the day, I’m the only Black woman left in the tournament. And ultimately, I just hope that Donald and I standing here today, Frances [Tiafoe] in the semifinals, Coco [Gauff] being the defending champion, just shows people that look like us that it’s possible.” I guarantee there wasn’t a single person watching the tournament wondering if it’s possible for a Black tennis player to succeed in a Grand Slam.
It’s also worth noting that Townsend also hosted the Blacks-only party with Naomi Osaka at the French Open this year.
The race card has been overplayed to a nauseating degree. When you constantly play the victim, people don’t care to hear it. Now if there was some legitimate injustice happening based on the color of her skin, I’m happy to hear it, but if you’re going to lecture about diversity and inclusion in sports, when meritocracy and sportsmanship is what matters most, I don’t care to hear it, and neither does the vast majority of the audience.
Just play tennis, Townsend. We’re over it.
