Taylor Townsend, No. 1 Junior Girl's Tennis Player, Battles USTA Over Weight, Funding

Taylor Townsend of the United States plays during Day Eleven of the 2012 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Taylor Townsend is the No. 1 ranked junior women's tennis player in the world but is reportedly at odds with the United States Tennis Association over her weight. The 16-year-old won the 2012 junior Australian Open singles tournament but was advised not to come to New York for the U.S. Open junior tournament, as was first reported by Tom Perrotta in the Wall Street Journal.

With her mother, Sheila, paying her expenses, per The New York Times, Townsend reached the quarterfinals but lost to Anett Konktaveit of Estonia, 6-4, 6-4. She did, however, win her third junior Grand Slam doubles title of the year with teammate Gabrielle Andrews.

"Pretty much all the other federations, if they had a No. 1 junior in the world, they would kind of break their backs to bring them to whatever they needed to go to," Townsend commented to USA Today. "I'm not going to sit here and say I'm the fastest person or the most agile, because I'm not."

Patrick McEnroe, the manager of the USTA player development program, was quoted in the WSJ report, saying that the "concern is her long-term health" and the goal is to have her "competing for major titles when it's time." Tennis.com reported that the USTA recommended Townsend stay home after she was diagnosed with low iron.

"I didn't get any definite answer on why they didn't want me to play they just told me that they felt I should focus on my fitness," Townsend said on "Good Morning America" on Saturday morning.

Courtney Nguyen of Sports Illustrated criticizes the handling of the situation, noting that "the USTA has taken a paternalistic tack" and adding that the decisions are emblematic of "the arrogance of institution built on the belief that there is a tried-and-true formula to build a champion."

After the initial report by Perrotta, McEnroe clarified the stance of the USTA, telling ABC News that Townsend was never banned from the U.S. Open and that the association always planned on reimbursing her expenses.

"I think it will pass," Townsend told ABC about the controversy. "Because I think we all have a common goal here, that I want to do well."

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• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts after beating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. Two points from defeat, Williams suddenly regained her composure to come back and win the last four games, beating No. 1-ranked Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Sunday for her fourth U.S. Open title and 15th Grand Slam title overall. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts after beating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts after beating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams holds the championship trophy after beating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. Two points from defeat, Williams suddenly regained her composure to come back and win the last four games, beating No. 1-ranked Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Sunday for her fourth U.S. Open title and 15th Grand Slam title overall. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts after beating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts after beating Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams returns a shot to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing against Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing against Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Tennis fans watch Serena Williams play Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing against Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams returns a shot to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing against Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams walks on the court while playing Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams bounces a ball during the championship match against Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams prepares to serve to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing against Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams gets up after returning a shot to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams returns a shot to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams returns a shot to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams returns a shot to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams returns a shot to Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing against Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Will Ferrell

  Comedian Will Ferrell reacts as Serena Williams plays Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams reacts while playing Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams holds her racket while playing Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Serena Williams

  Serena Williams holds her racket while playing Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

• Victoria Azarenka

  Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, reacts while playing Serena Williams during the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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Comments

[Katie5]

05:39 PM on 05/07/2013

Come on! At 16years she should be svelte with as much exercise as she does too during practices. Call it like it is!

[Bathsheva Gladstone]

08:17 PM on 12/26/2012

All of a sudden the tennis association is worrying about their image. What a joke! As long as it appears to be an elitist snob fest they're fine--get a few real people in there and they're all flustered with their breathy "oh mys".

Good for Serena rising above. Double good for Taylor Townsend not letting these disgusting elitist mofos get away with that crud!

[RationalCaliGirl]

05:22 PM on 12/23/2012

I wonder how much Lindsay Davenport weighed? The Eastern European women are heavier than American players were any of them asked to stay home?

[BIG JOHN]

02:11 PM on 12/23/2012

O.M.G. you have 400lb football players, shaq was 340 lbs. Her weight.......This is b.s.

[Atim-moot Tugayak]

11:37 AM on 12/23/2012

Patrick McEnroe, the manager of the USTA player development program, was quoted in the WSJ report, saying that the "concern is her long-term health" and the goal is to have her "competing for major titles when it's time." WHAT A BUNCH OF BS, DID THEY SUPPORT 13 YEAR OLD JENNIFER CAPRIATI AND OTHERS WHO WERE TEENAGE STARS, DAMN RIGHT THEY BROUGHT THEM TO EVERY TOURNY THEY QUALIFIED FOR AND EVEN SOME THEY DIDN'T JUST FOR THE EXPOSURE. MURICA, STILL TRYING TO KEEP DOWN OTHERS WHO AREN'T WHITE CHRISTIANS.

[wwoody]

10:08 AM on 12/23/2012

She just a young and powerful player, for her age...that all, her weight has nothing to do with it.

[phill273]

10:08 AM on 12/23/2012

Her conditioning is terrible. I could hear her huffing and puffing during the middle of a drill.

[Susanmg]

09:47 AM on 12/23/2012

She is far smaller than Serena was (and is) when she hit the tour. What is this about? The girl is ranked #1, and the USTA is trying to tell her to lose weight (and probably power?) When is the last time they advised a young male to do anything about his physique? Sick.

[jlizs79]

09:24 AM on 12/23/2012

Her weight? She doesn't look any bigger than Billie Jean King did in the 70's......obviously the notion of what an "acceptable size" is is getting smaller in the sports world, too.

[GTFOOH]

08:18 AM on 12/23/2012

Concerned about her health....Right!

[mr whiteffolks]

07:53 AM on 12/23/2012

If people are pissed off at the athletic ability that Black athletes have been blessed with, take it up with God !

[Atim-moot Tugayak]

11:38 AM on 12/23/2012

BUT GOD DOESN'T CARE WHO WINS AND LOSES IN A GAME DOES HE?

[Robnwords]

03:22 PM on 12/23/2012

Amen.

[mr whiteffolks]

07:42 AM on 12/23/2012

Is this really about this young woman's weight or something else ! Hmmmmm !

[infonomics]

07:14 AM on 12/23/2012

Legal liability issue? Player dies on the court, the host becomes liable?

[mr whiteffolks]

07:43 AM on 12/23/2012

More like a racial issue from what I can see !

[Susanmg]

09:48 AM on 12/23/2012

Oh please. She's far smaller than Serena is, or was. She doesn't have the breasts, and his behind is just fine. The girl wins matches. Low iron could be from being tested right after her period. Leave her body alone.

[ladyteacher]

06:47 AM on 12/23/2012

You go girl!

[CSmith220]

04:37 AM on 12/23/2012

"Have her competing for major titles when it's time."

As a former black athlete, I've heard that one before. I was one of the best defensive tackles in the state at a majority white High school and I couldn't get game time. I was young and it took a while for me to realize that I was being discriminated against, because players smaller and worse than I was were getting in games and I had to sit on the sideline. I came to that realization when one of the new Defensive coordinators was working with me and wanted me to hop in on 1st team defense. The Head Coach pulled him aside and told him not to put me in and that I "wasn't ready yet." Those exact words. So it wasn't because I was a bad player, because I easily became 1st team defense and played in the states All Star Game + the Shrine Bowl.

An addendum, that same Head Coach was fired later that season for holding back players letters from colleges, while his sons, who were playing on the team, got all of their letters.

[mr whiteffolks]

07:47 AM on 12/23/2012

Happens more than we think ! Some people hate to see Blacks excel at sports versus Whites ! It's no secret that Black athletes are far superior in terms of running and jumping and those are two attributes that add tremendously in basketball and football !

When Tiger Woods and the Williams sisters came on the scene dominating two sports that traditionally had been White dominated, that didn't and still doesn't sit too well with the powers that be !

[Atim-moot Tugayak]

11:46 AM on 12/23/2012

Happens in hockey too. Local coaches pick less talented white kids to "make" the AA or AAA teams while more talented First Nations kids don't and many are playing lesser calibre hockey where they don't get drafted or get letters from scouts. The hockey parents on my son's team have been asking for several years (since pee-wee) why my son is playing house league while other kids that he owned on the ice made it. When I tell these parents my son did try out for the better teams but was always cut they always give the "ohhh, ok" look. Sad thing is our local hockey organization also won't release him to try out elsewhere, f*cked up isn't it?

[Bathsheva Gladstone]

08:21 PM on 12/26/2012

Thank you! The truth comes to light. Important that people speak up. Thank you for sharing.