Black Female Junior Tennis Prodigy Told by U.S. Tennis Association She’s Too Fat to Compete
By: Victor “Doc V” Trammell
Taylor Townsend is a 16-year-old rising tennis star that thrust herself into the spotlight by winning the Australian Open as a 14th seed earlier this year. She also won the doubles tournament at the event with her partner Gabrielle Andrews. Partnering with Eugenie Bouchard, she won the 2012 Wimbledon Championships as well. Townsend began her professional career in 2010 and so far looks to be a young promising tennis star.
However, her dreams of competing in the recent U.S. Open Junior Tournament were crushed when the U.S. Tennis Association decided not to fund her travel to compete in the tournament. Reps for Townsend requested for her to participate as a wild card in the main draw at Flushing Meadows. The request was turned down.
Patrick McEnroe, general manager of the U.S. Tennis Association sought to quell the controversy in an interview with ESPN. “It has nothing to do with weight, nothing to do with body type,” McEnroe stated. “It has to do with overall fitness, overall what her game is.” He also said the association’s top concern is Townsend’s “health and long-term development.” The U.S. Tennis Association has been criticized before for choosing female players based on “model type” looks instead of athletic ability.
Regardless of the controversial decision leveled against her, Taylor seems to maintain a positive attitude. In her own interview with ESPN, she stated, “I’m not going to sit here and say that I couldn’t have gotten in better shape or that I couldn’t get in better shape,” she said. “I’m not going to sit here and say that I’m the fastest person, the most agile, because I’m not. There’s definitely room for improvement, but it’s a personal opinion.” A line Taylor should live by is that what does not kill you makes you stronger.
112 Responses to Black Female Junior Tennis Prodigy Told by U.S. Tennis Association She’s Too Fat to Compete
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when do weigh matter, Its the wins the last time I check…lol
And she goes up there and takes first place; weight and all. shaking my head
The USTA better get some other representation. They have a snooty thing about them and it needs to be curtailed. If nobody can beat this girl then they have nothing to say about her size. To discriminate because she is not your ideal of what she should look like, you need to resign your position and find something else to do. If she can play you should have no opinion.
I think it is discrimination more or so because the color of her skin! She has the skills, these people are tired of seeing black people reck shop on the field!
BAM! nail on the head!
The USTA better get some other representation. They have a snooty thing about them and it needs to be curtailed. If nobody can beat this girl then they have nothing to say about her size. To discriminate because she is not your ideal of what she should look like, you need to resign your position and find something else to do. If she can play you should have no opinion.
The headline is misleading. The USTA never said she was too fat. If They sponsor Taylor and she suffers heatstroke, or god forbid some other ailment; they could be held liable for her injuries and or long term care. IF Taylor has the right professional team around her, they will help her get into shape which will only improve her game and quality of life.
Stop making excuses for these people!!! They just don’t want this young BLACK girl playing! PERIOD!!!! This is BS! White people have held young black girls back for years with this weight stuff! This is how they keep us out of certain things!
Wow, are you serious? Get real please. How out of shape could this girl be if she won the Aussie Open -in singles and doubles and then wins Wimbledon in doubles just six weeks ago? Her body looks exactly the same as it did in January, so it’s a bit amazing people want to make this an issue – when she keeps winning. White people don;t understand, sista’s are thick – and strong as h**l!!!
I totally agree!!!
Gee get real! Kells is right! Your excuses for racist USTA is exactly why they continue to discriminate against Blacks. There is a white player name Mallory Burdette who is just a big as Taylor if not bigger and older, and USTA continues to give her FULL SUPPORT/MONEY saying absolutely nothing about her weight. This is just another excuse for USTA to try and keep Blacks out. Prior to this that didn’t make news, USTA had a 13 yr old Black girl name Paris Williams in 2008 who was a fast rising talented junior set up at a tournament having her falsely accused and arrested because her family exposed USTA lying reporting they gave her money/support but in fact did not until it was exposed, then they gave her $250 to try and cover their lies. USTA continued their retaliation against this girl who was then 16 by removing her from the draw at the 2010 Stanford Bank of the West Classic Tournament, not allowing her to compete and replaced her with a 30 yr old white player from So Africa although Paris was the hometown girl in the Bay Area California. She in fact at 13 helped raise over $150,000 at a Stanford fundraising event for other kids to be able to play they then exclude her from competing.
USTA is racist and needs to be exposed. The problem is too many Blacks were unwilling to speak out for fear of retaliation so only those with money were able to go around them, those without money were not. Blacks within tennis like Katrina Adams, skins and grins ignoring their mistreatment of Blacks. Don’t be fooled, the fact that Serena n Venus, Donald Young and now Solane made it does not constitute there is no racism, in fact it’s worst. Also they were not developed under USTA, they were only accepted after their development then used to front as if Blacks are accepted.
USTA is the most corrupt dishonest sport their is, this current excuse and exclusion of this young girl Taylor is just one more reason USTA must be exposed and cleaned out.
They’re real dumb a*s stupid jackass cowards backward beast jealous minded people! Now that real,real talk!!!!
Gee
So that means if a skinny person have a heartact or some thing else they will be liable her even though she appears to be fit. Some people are big boned and big period, if they compete and win you can’t disqualify her based on body type. Let the play on the court make that decision, not some ones subjective opinion. What has the Doctors said about her playing? probbly nothing.
If you would just take the time to listen to her interviews AND research her career, instead of hollering racism and jumping defensive, you may not only learn something, but an appreciation for her determination as an athlete. How many young athletes do you sponsor or mentor? If the answer is none, continue to support your rappers, booty shakers and real housewives in your virtual lives.
your explanation about her health being the problam for a lack of support is unconscionable. is there any evidence of the girl being sick…h**l NO! therefore, you’re just talking out of your a@* with all of your WHAT IFs in your efforts to defend these racist. in addition, what does your mentoring or sponsoring an athlete have to do with this girl being denied support? what you’re an expert on the subject because you sponsor athletes? if you’re unaware, not only do we have educated fools, but we also have financial fools!
U jes exposed urself w. ur comments re “rappers, booty shakers….” as u go all out to defend what u urself r, a racist!
You have a good point. The headline is misleading. Those who suggest this is a racist decision fail to recognize that the USTA supports several black tennis players. The USTA’s primary concern is American tennis, and the disappointing presence of American women on the tour beyond the Williams sisters.
Are you suggesting that winning the austrialian open, and winning wimbeldon, this year, was not “in shape” enough? It seems that its not her “game” that needs improvement….but in fact, the improvement needed is in the quality of her living environment.
Weight is a factor in heart desease true enough but, you don’t have to be overweight to have heart desease and or high blood pressure or anything else. They could have just asked that she have a physical like they should every athlete to make certain there are no health problems. This was discrimination plan and simple..end of story.
well said, end of story!
I’ll bet you are white….
She is obviously in shape enough to beat her present competitors, that is a terrible excuse, the man should be fired. I wish she had a website so we could fund her.
@ Gee.You are correct…She is high risk.
I can agree with that – healthiness can be a big concern but color of skin can also be, too. The USTA should be working with this young athlete b/c she can only be an asset to the game of tennis.
I can agree with that – healthiness can be a big concern but color of skin can also be, too. The USTA should be working with this young athlete b/c she can only be an asset to the game of tennis.
I can agree with that – healthiness can be a big concern but color of skin can also be, too. The USTA should be working with this young athlete b/c she can only be an asset to the game of tennis.
I can agree with that – healthiness can be a big concern but color of skin can also be, too. The USTA should be working with this young athlete b/c she can only be an asset to the game of tennis.
Doctors are paid good money the examine people and determine their level of fitness. The USTA does not want to hear “you’re cleared.” They would rather subject a child to their biased assessment of a “thick” girl who is killing their skinny little clones on the court. She is winning major events, and showing the world that fit is more than thin, skinny, and flat.
I tend to agree with this just like in the real world, who the h**l thinks skinny models is it, the thing, art/entrainment/sports all have real people in it and all are a refection of the populace which is not skinny – she is what she is GTFOOHWTBS!!!
Doctors are paid good money to examine people and determine their level of fitness. The USTA does not want to hear “you’re cleared.” They would rather subject a child to their biased assessment of a “thick” girl who is killing their skinny little clones on the court. She is winning major events, and showing the world that fit is more than thin, skinny, and flat.
Y’all don’t get it! These racist demon/devils don’t want another Black sister kicking cracker’s a***s! PLAIN & SIMPLE AS THAT!
They don’t want to see “Venus and Serena” [their spirts] CONTROL the tennis courts again, through this sister.
I get tired of these excuses because this is nothing, but a racist gesture made by the tennis a*s-ociation. They know how to use code words to make y’all think it ain’t racial, BUT IT IS!
She hasn’t passed out yet; therefore, she should be allowed to play!!! She’s still young and in good health. I’ve seen skinny people, who were SICK AS h**l, until they GAINED SOME WEIGHT! That ain’t nothing, but BABY FAT and she will lose it; while she continues to play!
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP TAYLOR, BECAUSE YOUR TIME IS COMING. Crackers ALWAYS try to break a strong person’s Spirit.
STAY STRONG, MY BLACK QUEEN…STAY STRONG!!!
WAKE-UP FOLKS…racism at its best; AGAIN!
I totally agree with Derrick.
LOL. Derrick, I knew that was coming. I understand your point, but you come across as just a little too abrupt. You could be a voice for human rights. However, you must control your racist rants. We have come too far as a People to let hatred eat-away at our souls like a cancer. Yes, this young lady appears to be a victim of racial discrimination, but she must be supported in a more effective way to bring attention to this issue.
not sure why the need to defend these racist and attack derrick for telling the truth. keep telling the truth derrick!
Oh my! ATTACK is such a strong word. Never that, Raheem. It seems like you’ve taken on another name Derrick/Raheem.
no this is raheem, derrick does a very good job speaking for himself. i think everyone would agree that derrick wouldn’t need to change his name to cuss you out for your attack. yes attack!!!!
@acti-p**s:
This man can speak for himself and so can I! We don’t need to play games, like you caucasoids, who come on these sites!
GO TO YOUR OWN d**n SITES, SINCE YOU HATE BLACK PEOPLE, SO MUCH!!!
The bottom-line is, you crackers LOVE to be around your BLACK PARENTS, and this is why you come on these sites!
YOU CAN’T FOOL ME, p**s; I mean fist!
@ Derrick: Your play on words doesn’t impress me. The only p**s to note is your p**s-poor attitude. Contrary to some beliefs, I am a STRONG Black woman! Where in my post did you determine that I was anything but —? Do you think it’s impossible for me to articulate AND be a SISTA? One word… MENSA!!! (Getcha some, you babbling fool)
Acti-fist. Your well – meaning advice to Derrick sounds like censorship. He is not presenting his case before a formal body, but is instead expressing his feelings on a blog. Please don’t attempt to silence what appears to be his richeous indignation. Peace.
I read some other rants from Derrick who is so passionate. You were right. My bad.
Derrik is on point! The problem is Blacks employed in Tennis like Katrina Adams, former Mayor David Dinkins, Rodney Harmon etc. were too busy skinnin and grinnin and looking the other way keeping quiet while they knew USTA was and is excluding and hurting talented Black kids especially those who couldn’t afford tennis without financial help. There is a white girl older than Taylor and just as big USTA is fully supporting her while putting this burden and tag on Taylor. Prior to this USTA would have Black girls as young as 13 falsely accused and arrested at their tournaments by setting them up using other parents mixed-raced parents to hurt them and attack their character so they had an excuse not to fund or support them.
Derrik is on point! They are doing all they can to try and keep out Black girls! There was one prior to Taylor in 2008 named Paris Williams aged 13 yrs old, who they setup and had falsely accused and arrested that didn’t make the news. Now they are using weight! These racist and the tokens allowing them to do it must be called out!
@La:
Much love and respect!
“They are doing all they can to try and keep out Black girls!”
They are also keeping our young brothers out of the game, also! They THINK all we are good for is playing basketball and football, also boxing!
They feel we can only use our ‘athletic ability’ not our MENTAL CAPABILITES!!! Tennis is a THINKING MAN’S game, and you know these serpents DON’T WANT US TO USE OUR MINDS!
athletic ability = code words: animal or horse-like ‘n****r’ creatures
THIS IS HOW THESE heathens REALLY THINK ABOUT US!!!
Peace & Truth
Right on Derrick! They don’t wanna give up another sport to blks & tennis has always been lily white. Im sure thats what happened w. the slandering of Tiger Woods after he began reigning supreme over golf & was too close to breaking Jack Nicklaus’s records. They know that everything that we do, when given an equal opportunity, we excel at & usually best them & its a threat to white supremacy. They dont want the competition fr folk they r always claiming r inferior to them n every way. Plain & simple!
You are absolutely right, they are keeping out the brothers even more so, but alot of it is their own fault! A major problem is within our own people most of them playing tennis have self-hate. If you close your eyes hearing them speak you can’t tell the difference between them and whites, which has nothing to do with proper speech, it’s a sickness of ethnic/cultural separation, their voice, mannerisms of white similation instead of embracing self makes you cringe! Tiger although being in golf, is perfect example what happens when blacks with courage step up to support him/them, Tiger like them side with the racist and accuse us of making trouble, so the plantation mentality continues.
Derrik keep speaking and sharing your courage and truths, we need many more like you! Too many Black tokens compromising ain’t getting us nowhere. These fools who apologize for being Black and are too stupid to value their Blackness which is the most beautiful gift given to us persevering and excelling against all other races who continue to try and down us while at the same time copying everything about us!
Sister La:
We need MORE sisters like you, who are not afraid of speaking the Truth! I love reading posts from sisters, who don’t sugar coat the Truth, such as yourself!
There are very few Black Lady Rebels, who are True to the cause. Most negroid fe-males are trying to act like caucasoids fe-males, look like caucasoid fe-males, and think like caucasoid fe-males, just to be accepted by them.
They are wearing these long blond weaves, fake eyes, nails, putting studs in their bodies, putting poison in their buttocks, inking themselves up, like those gothic fe-males, and the list goes on and on!
Most negroid fe-males don’t want to talk about racism, because they THINK it does not exist. The reason for this slave-like thinking is because the caucasoid male USES [her] to be against the Black man. These tactics were used during our FORCED enslavement, and this white boy is still using them today!
He has brainwashed the negroid fe-male to accept their style of living. He has also, bamboozled them to accept their their standard of life, such as, having a dog in the house INSTEAD of a Man! Today, more negroid fe-males own dogs, than ever before! They sleep with them, eat with them, and kiss them in the mouth just like their caucasoid counterparts.
Keyshia Cole had a FUNERAL for her dead dog!!! Casket and all!!! Can you beLIEve that shyt? These yankees have turned the negroid fe-male against the Black man, so he can continue to CONTROL her and use her, like he did when he raped, sodomized and killed her doing our forced enslavement. NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!
THESE negroids ARE SICK! IT WILL TAKE 1,000 YEARS TO DEPROGRAM THEM, BECAUSE THEY LOVE EATING AT THEIR caucasoid massa’s FEET AND HIS CRUMBS!!!
THEY MUST GET BACK TO BEING BLACK!!!
Peace & Truth!
@Derrick- Please don’t stereotype Black females. Surely you would/do not appreciate being stereotyped. Because there are those of us who choose to take advantage of the many hairstyle and color options available to us and to enhance or eyelashes do not assume we are clueless about the rampant racism in this country. I experience it everyday when I leave my home; on the job, when I watch television or listen to the radio and sadly from my own race because I do not look like them or talk as they do. Do not be fooled by those who wear the mask yet are suffering inside because of the ugly face of racism. My Black children, whose mother and father are dark skinned,were both born with “blonde” hair. No question about paternity. However, it drew so much attention that as an adult she would wear a black wig. So, please know that it is what is inside not what the person looks like on the outside that matters. There are many levels on which to fight the battle of racism. Some are not readily seen nor heard. Some are on the forefront, while others are quietly in the background, very aware, and fighting nonetheless.
You are right because playing and practicing are exercise. Exercise gets one in better shape.
You are absolutely correct Derrick it has nothing to do with her weight. It’s all about Race “always was and always will be” this is America and Racism is sewn into the very fabric of this nation. The Hatred is real believe it. And you’re correct we should stop apologizing for White Folks Bullshit. It’s not a Racist rant when you speak the truth. White folks put down their Bullshit then we are expected to smile make nice and accept it. f**k White people I said it and don’t give a d**n who likes it or not. It’s 2012 and if Black Americans are’nt d**n sick and tired of f*****g White people after 400 yrs. of their bullshit I don’t know when we’ll ever be. They hate Serena & Venus Williams for kicking those little White girls in the a*s and don’t you believe for one minute they don’t. They are so full of Hatred they don’t want to see Black Americans achieve anything no matter what it is that’s how deep their Hatred runs. Call a spade a spade and stop apologizing for White Folks insanity.
@TRUTHSPKS:
With a name like TRUTHSPKS, you just spoke the TRUTH!
Why are negorids so d**n scared of these racist devils? Can’t they see these demon/devils don’t give a d**n about them? WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO WAKE THEM UP?
These crackers ALWAYS come on Black sites, to talk s**t, but they are still racist and pratice white supremacy. It’s amazing how negroids continue to let these demon/devils CONTROL them!
That xtianity bullshyt has fvcked up these negroids minds!
KEEP POSTING THE TRUTH!!!
By the way…I call a cracker a cracker!!!
OVERstand Me?
STAY STRONG!
D@mn truthspks, preach on! I sure as h*ll can’t add anything to that! U laid it out!
RDS I think you put it best and Derrick brought the energy (a little hostile but good energy). Now what should we as a community do to support this young lady? How can we mobilize in an effort to get the attention of the USTA? I am a huge supporter of youth sports especially when you can achieve positive result. Just like the Gabby Douglas situation we were not their as a community in support. We as parents and love one of these talented children have to pull together and show society that you are not going to abuse and use my child. Keep this story alive until they resolve this issue. I will post this on FB and Twitter.
Well said.
@M H Scott: “How can we mobilize in an effort to get the attention of the USTA?”
Good question! We can’t do it alone, we need to ORGANIZE and UNITE, bottom line. Until this happens, we will only be able to voice our anger on the internet!
I try to use this forum to post OURstory and wake our people up…MENTALLY! I may be touching some; and not others, but as long as I can reach ONE, I have done my godly duty!
We need to get these entertainment centers [churches] involved, but that will be very hard to do, because they are CONTROLLED what to say, and what not to say, or they’ll be paying taxes. We need NEW, FRESH LEADERSHIP because this marching and singing is OVER! It has done us NO GOOD, but Sharptongue and Messy are still trying to fight these cracker with 1920 tactics! We need to fast forward to the ‘jet age’ because we need things done NOW!
This young lady is not going to give up, but I’m tired of our people having to suffer just to compete with these demon/devils on a DAILY basis.
WE NEED TO BOYCOTT! That’s the only way to START! We can suka punch these demon/devils all day long, but when you HURT them in their pockets, THEN WE WILL GET SOME ACTION!!!
Good stuff Derrick, I have a few thoughts of my own as well.
“How can we mobilize in an effort to get the attention of the USTA?”
Good question! We can’t do it alone, we need to ORGANIZE and UNITE, bottom line. Until this happens, we will only be able to voice our anger on the internet!
I try to use this forum to post OURstory and wake our people up…MENTALLY! I may be touching some; and not others, but as long as I can reach ONE, I have done my godly duty!
We need to get these entertainment centers [churches] involved, but that will be very hard to do, because they are CONTROLLED what to say, and what not to say, or they’ll be paying taxes. We need NEW, FRESH LEADERSHIP because this marching and singing is OVER! It has done us NO GOOD, but Sharptongue and Messy are still trying to fight these cracker with 1920 tactics! We need to fast forward to the ‘jet age’ because we need things done NOW!
This young lady is not going to give up, but I’m tired of our people having to suffer just to compete with these demon/devils on a DAILY basis.
WE NEED TO BOYCOTT! That’s the only way to START! We can suka punch these demon/devils all day long, but when you HURT them in their pockets, THEN WE WILL GET SOME ACTION!!!
I AM LOVING YOUR COMMENTS MAN!!! I am with whatever you and truthspeaks want to do! I am conected to http://www..kemeticpipeline.com ,mwhich is a network of companies, including international business development. WE FUND PROJECTS! I think we could also get together, by gathering all those who want to offer up their email database, to form a front and start one of these online “crowd-funding” campaigns! I know of a couplemofmsites where folks are raising HUGH amounts of funding for all types of things! WE MUST BE SELF-RELIANT MOVING FORWARD, and STOP looking to these euro’s to do anything meaningful for their ‘ spoils of war’ – US! Please contact me @reesiedarealest if anyone wants to be a part of the newly formed ABORIGINAL YOUTH SPORTS CONSORTIUM, and LET’S DO THIS FOR THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS! (not KIDS- that is a baby goat!). WE ARE THE LARGEST CONSUMER SPENDING GROUP AND WE CAN DO THIS ALONE! Let’s put our money where our mouth is, and fund our future athletic superstars! Namaste’!
Please give your contact info so that I can share it with the other young lady mentioned.
Peace n Success!
@Sister La:
I don’t have a FB any longer. Do you have an email you can give me? I know you don’t want everybody seeing your email, so try to give it me discreetly, if you wish.
Much Love & Respect!
Aaaaagghh LMAO If weight is a factor then the other girls better eat up!
This there any way Venus or Serena can sponsor her?
serena won 1.9 million last week, deep pockets to help a sista out! but it’s not her responsiblity to do the job of these racist, public pressure is needed to expose their racism.
Quit making excuses for her – She needs to get in better shape to take a step up to the next level – You will notice that she has mostly only won doubles championships not singles – It’s not personal – To be a top quality athelete you must be fit – Check it out – Serena has won singles championships at Wimbledon, the Olympics, and the U.S. Open. She is 30 and in arguably the best condition of her life. Nuff said!
as espn herman edwards would say, you play to win the game.
isn’t she winning? like the racist, you need to stop with the excuses of her weight, it’s not stopping her from winning.
what’s next, her head is too big? nuff said!
@keith ‘fart’ bond:
GO TO h**l! Why don’t you loose some of that racism?
I’M SICK YOU evil, wicked, serpents!!!
Ms. Taylor should just lose weight, work out, eat healthy, get toned and keep her grades up. Her talents will shine even brighter. Crackers will not be able to keep her out of the game. (until they think of something else) I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Its funny how they say she can’t play but that haven’t been able to stop her WINS!
It’s more about racism and commercialism. It would be another Serena Williams type story and they are not ready for that from a non anorexic looking non caucasoid. Bottom line.
Lets not forget, even Venus and Serena have competed and have not been in the best of shape ALL THE TIME, but it’s their pure athelitic abilities during those times that has launched them to victory (Serena more than Venus)…I know absolutely nothing about this young lady, but there is a double standard…when the Williams Sisters first came on the scene, they were not dealt a “fair” hand either, but they were able to withstand all the hate by crushing the opponents, now that’s how you speak…CRUSH your opponent…in that world, you have to do more “showing” than “telling”. I honestly believe that the tennis association would rather wait a decade or so for another black female athelete(s) to come on the scene and dominate the game…they can’t have the “niggras” winning everything, they are already “tolerating” the Williams Sisters…why, because they have no CHOICE…win loose or draw, the Williams Sisters make money for the association…when they don’t participate in various tournaments, the association looses money…so with the sisters in play, it’s always a WIN WIN even when they LOSE.
> TRUTH cuts like a 2 edge sword and your comment cuts all haters real
deep > I agree with you 1000%%%%%%%%% <
I remember when it was stated that the Willimas Sister’s were to masculine for the game. Then it should be stated in the requirements that you should be pencil thin and weigh less than the ball. You can die at any minute, there is no set time for that. Whether you think you are fit or not. Sometime the body clock just stop. Has she ever needed the Paramedic’s after a match.
In shape out of shape…she is winning! And it is so true; at one time the media stated that Venus and Serena were too muscular for the game. They kept winning. The real/true question is “not what they want” it’s “what they don’t want!” An another inspirational black woman inspiring young black girls to look towards another venue in sports beside sprinting and basketball.
OK. SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? TALK IS CHEAP!!! I’M IN….
BOYCOTT!
DON’T GIVE THESE CAUCASOIDS YOUR MONEY THESE HELLADAYS [holidays] THAT ARE COMING UP!
> @Derrick > I AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENT 1000%%%% > PEACE 2 U
Wow. I had no idea the USTA were doctors too.
I dont see any difference from her size to the size of Serena Williams. They are afraid of another Serena Williams.
You are delusional if you believe that they don’t want another piggy bank to play. Paranoia about race is EXACTLY why she went on ESPN and STATED that she could have been in better shape! Regardless if she won or not, SHE says she can do better in terms of managing her weight and health. Stop making excuses for lackluster attitudes and start supporting Taylor in her bid to become the success she can be. You same petty people were the very same telling Gabby that her hair was nappy and that one of the older sisters shoulda hooked her up. Excuses, excuses…Never ownership!
IT’S QUITE SIMPLE, UNLESS THEY DO THAT TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON, THEN IT’S RACISM PLAIN AND SIMPLE….WHO THE h**l ARE THEY TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON SOMEONE’S HEALTH, THEY SAY THAT SERENA IS FAT ALSO, BUT THEY CAN’T STOP HER….WHY WASN’T LINDSEY DAVENPORT EVER HELD TO THIS??????? SHE WAS NEVER IN SHAPE…
Ok, the question is asked, what do we do? How can we get at these people to make them change their racist behavior? Although it was said it isn’t the responsibility of the rich and famous, with influenceto help these young black ladies, maybe, maybe not. Was it the responsibility of any of the blacks to sacrifice what they did for future black people? Was it really their responsibility to sacrifice their finances, families, freedom for future generations of black people? They felt like it was, they felt they were in position to help the needs of blacks so they filled the need by offering everything they had. Today….we don’t see this type of love for each other, we don’t see our people reaching back and helping those
That are doing all they can, then are trying to be squashed by a racist organization. Are they responsible to help other young sisters? Can they help then? I think if they can help, yes…..they are responsible to help, that’s how those felt in times past. If they could help, they felt it was their personal responsibility to help. But today i guess we could care less about the struggles of our people, add long as we made it ourselves….’oh well’.
I like the comment: “O.K. so what do we do about it. Talk is cheap.” I’ll try to share this with other white people and see if we can exert some pressure on the U.S.T.A. It looks as if Ms. Townsend is going to be able to keep moving ahead in spite of the obstacles. Tom
I think they are afraid of having another dominant African American female tennis star ala Sabrina Williams! Similar body types “powerful”!!
Short of a s*x tape,guns,drugs or an automobile accident teenagers are generally indestructible. In a country where 50% of its’ adults are obese I am amused that the USTA has health as a major concern and this kid’s health in particular after she won the Australian Open, the Australian doubles and Wimbledon. Did the USTA have concern for her health and still allowed her to participate in the above events…and if so did they communicate those concerns to her people ….did she have any health issues\scares surface during the above events ….I submit that the real concern might have more to do with two BIG BLACK women dominating a sport that is typically reserved for them.
Yup I agree with all who said this is bullshit. according to these people the greatest womens tennis player in history is over weight. Perhaps they simply don’t want another strong powerful black woman blowing their boney white girls off the court. Loooooooooool
I agree with you, because African American Black Women are built to with stand all odds!!!
Short of a s*x tape,guns,drugs or an automobile accident teenagers are generally indestructible. In a country where 50% of its’ adults are obese I am amused that the USTA has health as a major concern and this kid’s health in particular after she won the Australian Open, the Australian doubles and Wimbledon. Did the USTA have concern for her health and still allow her to participate in the above events…and if so did they communicate those concerns to her people ….did she have any health issues\scares surface during the above events ….I submit that the real concern might have more to do with two BIG BLACK women dominating a sport that is typically NOT reserved for them.
Unfortunately, tennis is still an elitist sport and it shows in how they govern. This young woman will be alright and you can tell she has a great attitude so in the end, we will see her again!
Why does everything have to be Black or White? Listen to the interview very carefully and comprehend what is being said before you jump to judgement. The young lady will do what she has to do to become eligible. The Williams sisters did it and so will she. The only one that can hold her back is Taylor Townsend. Yes racism is alive and kicking but it always has been and always will be but it has NEVER stopped us!
why does everything have to be black or white? because it is..history tells us!
They see it coming and don’t like it, a bigger and stronger Serena. This young lady is only 16, where I come from what she has is baby fat. When you’re active and can carry weight, you’re building serious muscle 24/7. I’m not sweating it, she’ll tighten up and be a killer. Remember for a long time they said Serena was “over developed”.
The USTA is mirrowing what the PGA did to Black golfers for so long!! The competion should be about ability and not looks,especially when they want you to look like slender white models. For years the PGA kept Black golfers from playing because they had determined golf to be “a white man’s sport”. In tennis, the USTA for years only let one or two Blacks play in their major tournaments. Until the Williams sisters came on the scene, with so much ability and a Father who fought for mthem, the USTA kept Black folks out. Again, tennis was demmed “a white folks game”.
GET OVER IT!! THIS IS 2012. LET THIS YOUNG LADY’S ABILITY SPEAK FOR ITSELF, JUST AS gABBY DID IN THE OLYMPICS!!
TAYLOR Townsend, is a very determined individual and i believe she would make it big in no time, in the Tennis world.
Those of us residing outside of the U.S. are baffled, that the USTA should met out such treatment as a result an element of racism, when, in fact the U.S. can have one million representatives going for any competition.
What then, is the contribution to job creation which is most needed in America today, especially as there are many determine persons willing to be self employed?
But if there’s a quota system that maybe allows only two Blacks out of ten slots, then the rules should change for the sake of today’s job demand.
As a rule , black females have a different, heavier body type than white females. For years black women were excluded from ballet because they didn’t have the long necks and most of us have large round derriers not usually found in the average white female (until lately). Now this body type prejudice is being transferred to tennis. When a certain body type standard is be set for any activity it is a means of excluding certain races of people. Notice Serena Williams the body type compared to most of her opponents. She is thicker and heavier with strong legs and arms. This does not inhibit her agility but potentially makes her stronger opponent. The USTA is making rules to favor their more fragile caucasian players.
i hope she sues the c**p out of them
Since when do you have to have a weight goal to win at tennis? SMH. As african american, we are build differently and can hang with the best of them. I will continue to support Taylor on her journey. Stay positive and focused and look upward for your strength. Haters make you stronger! GO GIRL!
The young lady is proving that she has what it takes to be a winner,and the compition provides the best tool for her to improve her fitness.god didn’t make all of his children to be slim for a reason.sounds like a little prejudging going on here.I pray that she she can have the committee eating some crow soon!
Remember how big Martina Navratilova was? They were amazed that a woman could be so powerfully built and dominate the game – because until then all of the women had been tiny – but they didn’t try to prevent her from playing. This same controversy played itself out in ballet in the 70′s and 80′s because anyone who did not conform to a very narrow aesthetic (typically European) was systematically blocked from joining major ballet troupes. Alvin Ailey and the Dance Theatre of Harlem had to provide the outlet for these overlooked talented artists. Look at this quote from Encyclopedia of Women in Today’s World, Vol 1, page 1477: “The institutional and cultural practices of tennis have historically promoted images of a racialized femininity constitutive of the middle class standard of white heterosexual womanhood. . . There appears to be a ‘panic’ in tennis when women’s bodies do not conform to these conventions. For example, Chris Everett, describing the athletic ability of sisters Venus and Serena Williams, said that it was difficult for women ‘who were not Amazons’ to compete with them. Martina Navratilova’s muscular athletic body [also]challenged normative ideas of acceptable feminity in sport” Encyclopedia of Women in Todays World edited by Mary Zeiss Stange, Carol K. Oyster, Jane E. Sloan. This is a mainstream encyclopedia, not some treatise just about race, and I am quoting it here so that we do not have to reinvent the wheel with a debate about whether this proven athletic prodigy is being unfairly treated because she does not have the accepted european look. Even Europeans acknowledge this problem in their own writings. The question is what do we do about it?
Derrick is right on point! He never SUGAR COAT the truth, he tells it just like it is.
@Samuel:
The presence of a STRONG Black man or woman is a THREAT to caucasoids! They’re bodies are weaker than ours, and they know this!
Just this sister’s presence put FEAR in the hearts of caucasoid gals.
MUCH RESPECT!!!
Someone has probably written this already, but what if Serena Williams was a teenager coming along now? She is attractive, has a little more weight than many of the professional women tennis players, but she also has greater speed, athleticism, and tennis skills than most of them also. There is no valid excuse for excluding Taylor Townsend!
Wouldn’t it be great if The U.S. Tennis Association emphasized conditioning/weight reduction as well as well as winning.
If Taylor Townsend competed and lost weight(conditioned) while doing so, she would be a great motivator f/overweight teens, and consequently, The U.S. Tennis Association would look great(er) in the eyes of the public!
Coach Isham(Ike) Alexander
She looks to have a good figure to me. The problem is we have been brainwashed into believing that the perfect female body type is the one portrayed by the unnatural, sickly stick insects who populate the “fashion industry”.
This girl is going through the natural process of turning from a girl into a woman. It’s not unusual for that very process to involve a little shedding of “puppy fat”, or at least it didn’t used to be before peer pressure started to cause young girls to flirt with bulimic and anorexic behaaviour. Taylor looks to me to be carrying a fair bit of muscle, and has a nice athletic (dare I say “hot”?)shape, which I’m sure will tone up as she matures and becomes fitter.
The judgement which has been made on her suitability for the sport is flawed. Instead, obviously from her record, having the talent to succeed, she should have been given guidance and encouragement such that she can realize her potential. To make such a harsh, and frankly rude, judgement on a teenage girl who will inevitably be suffering the insecurities which teenagers endure during those years is simply crass.
I guess there afraid of another healthy black tennis female player beating the brakes off those skinny white players.
Yesterday I googled images of Taylor Townsend: The question here is where is the fat? She is not your typical bulimic/anorexic looking player. She does not neet to slim down. My advice…Pin up pictures of the Williams sisters and Zina Garrison for some inspiration and keep working on improving her game! If possible try and contact them. I believe they can/will give some positive support. Who knows better than these recent trail blazers.
First Gabby, now Taylor. The Jim Crown system is alive and thriving in sports. It is evident that white people feel so threatened and so inferior to people to color, that they resort to any means available or created to perpetuate their image of superiority .. when actually they appear quite pathetic.
Sister Serena stepped up by bringing attention to this matter. I’m of two minds because you don’t want to let the USTA off the hook but wouldn’t it be nice to have the sister sponsored by the U.S. Open and multiple grand slam champ?
I’m just saying…
This is the reason why Venus and Serena’s father skipped junior league play and went straight to the pros. He was aware of the racism that is soo evident in white-dominated sports. Serena is at top level now, but the sisters will probably never forget how they were treated in the locker room by other players (remember Venus’ ’97 US Open match with Spurlea? and ESP what Spurlea said afterwards about Venus “f^&*ing” Williams).
Beat ‘em at their own game- get fitter, get better and they will have NO excuse to not admit her. Also, there are only SO many wild card slots and I do remember that Sloane Stephens had 1 of them.
I personally know this young lady and she is in great shape. Let me enlighten you! She lives on the USTA compound. If they were truly that concerned about her weight why didn’t they put her on some kind of fitness regime? Why didn’t they do what they promised to do when they recruited her? Trust me, this runs much deeper than just her weight. They want total control over her career and her family has said h**l No! USTA wants to her family to sit down and shut up while they do what they want with her which is probably in the best interest of their organization and not in her best interest.
All major and minor sports organizations have action plans, rules and ways in which they support, train and help to keep people they’ve recruited in tip-top shape. It is understood, they want them ready to perform when scheduled for events; because they plan to Win.
This is racial. Since when did Tennis have weight classes!
> d**n ! I JUST NOTICE THAT THIS GIRL IS BLACK > WOW > LET THE HATERS MAKE ALL THEIR SILLY COMMENTS BUT YOU CAN not STOP GREATNESS WITH WORDS OF HATE <
US Tennis Association strikes again. I guess these fools are getting nervous because so many of are taking the tennis world by storm. God, if this is happening now, what did Althea Gibson have to go through?
USTA is so full of racist c**p. I would McEnroe’s explanation if I hadn’t seen other white female tennis players who are/were over weight.
Ridiculous, this young lady doesn’t look like she’s overweight to me and what a class act her attitude is. She is certainly being more mature that the USTA.
She is a power house player and hopefully these fools of the US Tennis Association won’t tear her down. I can only imagine what they say to these young players and how they threaten and bully them.
The high fashion industry is finally acknowledging that skinny and emaciated (1) is not healthy; (2) Does not look healthy; (3) sets a negative image for young girls; and (4) most women are NOT a size 00 -4. We are slowly seeing models with a little more weight and fuller faces. The USTA needs to have the same pressure applied to them as did the fashion industry. As with Gabriel Douglas, size and weight is crucial but Taylor Townsend has proven she has what it takes to be a winner with all of her cultural inheritance. A proven, qualifying winning record and a clean health record should be all that matters. Would be interesting to hear Serena and Venus Williams’ viewpoint.