Every great rise in tennis is built on trust, and for Taylor Townsend, that trust had a name. From behind-the-scenes training sessions to Grand Slam glory, John Williams played a central role in her evolution. But after a partnership that delivered two Grand Slam titles in the doubles (2024 Wimbledon and 2025 AO) and also a historic world number one ranking in the same category, Townsend has decided that it’s time to turn over a new page.

The news struck the tennis world like lightning without the thunder. A veil of silence shrouded major tennis based X handles. No cause, no explanation. The news was just laid bare that Townsend has reportedly parted ways with her long-term coach, John Williams. Yet, Townsend’s latest social media activity is as recent as fifteen hours ago. She had taken to Instagram to post about winning the WTA’s “Best Doubles Team of the Year” award alongside her doubles partner Katerina Siniakova.

“The people have spoken, they know who has the most motion💚🌊⛵️. Shoutout to everyone who voted us @wta “Doubles Team of the Year” award @siniakovakaterina ❤️✨”

Still, Townsend has chosen to remain mum on the matter regarding the split with John Williams. If we were to let our idle minds wander, we would wonder if there was any trouble in paradise.

John Williams’ social media activity itself does not insinuate anything. Though his recent reel – as recently as four weeks ago – to his followers on his Instagram is well in line with what he preaches. But could it contain a hint? In the video, he talks about what ‘real flex’ is.

“The legacy you leave won’t be measured by what you had, but by who you helped. Real power is when your presence inspires action. The impact you make on others will outlive every material thing you chase, and that’s the difference between popularity and true purpose. If you’re in a position where you’re doing well, you weren’t just called to win. You were called to lead. Real leaders build leaders. That’s the difference. That is the true flex.”

But then, everything is presumption until either Townsend or Williams chooses to open up. When Taylor moved up to top the doubles ranking this year, Williams’ pride knew no bounds. He had posted a carousel of images with a long text to accompany the visuals in the end.

“It started just over three years ago when I told you, I believed that you could be number one in the world. I don’t know if you saw it or you were brave enough to believe what you saw, but I saw it and I committed to doing everything I could do to make that happen. All of the blood, sweat, tears, and incalculable hours on & off the court led us to where we are right now; Number one in the world!
I’m incredibly honored to be a part of this journey and proud that you have had the courage, clarity, and commitment necessary to get you here. The journey began quietly, long before the trophies and headlines followed.”

In 2015, when Townsend was still searching for consistency on the biggest stages, Williams entered her corner – not as a headline coach, but as her strength and conditioning guide. Over time, their bond deepened. Williams evolved from focusing on Townsend’s physical preparation to becoming her mental and performance coach, shaping not just how she played but how she competed.

And then by 2021, he had become a central figure on her team. Williams stuck with Townsend throughout her pregnancy. She had approached him to help her figure out things tennis and beyond, as revealed by Williams back in July 2025.

Townsend’s doubles journey has been phenomenal just in the past year – title runs at the 2024 French Open Doubles, 2024 Wimbledon Doubles, 2025 Australian Open, all alongside trusted partner Katerina Siniakova under the helm of her holistic coach John Williams.

The 53-year-old American coach has coached over 1,500 athletes, including 12 Olympians and 8 champions. He is the founder and Chief Clarity Coach at Elevate With John, an evolution-based organization at the pinnacle of human performance, coaching, and rehabilitation. He and his team are known for bringing to fruition cutting-edge methodology, consistently yielding profound enhancements in mental fortitude, strength, speed, agility, and flexibility.

Williams has a famous saying: “I’m not just coaching forehands and backhands — I’m building people.”

A look at the bond between John Williams and Taylor Townsend

Some coaching partnerships are measured in trophies; others are defined by transformation. For Taylor Townsend, John Williams represented both. As Townsend moves forward, the end of this chapter marks both a goodbye and a celebration of what they achieved together. There have been several instances when we have seen these two showing their love, support, and trust in each other through their statements. Townsend had a relatively good outing in the singles event of the US Open this year, and here is what she said after her third-round win against Russian star Mirra Andreeva…

“I want to dedicate this win to my coach; we’ve been through blood, sweat, and tears.”

Although her journey at the singles came to an end at the hands of Barbora Krejčíková in a three-set thriller, it equaled her best performance at her home slam. In the doubles, she reached the final alongside Katerina Siniakova. During a conversation on the Functional Tennis Podcast, Williams spoke about Taylor Townsend’s incredible dedication.

“She’ll do anything I ask her to do at pretty much any time. I could call her up at 2:00 in the morning, wake her up from a great night’s sleep, and say, ‘We need to go downstairs and do some cardio.’ And she’ll say, ‘Okay, give me 20 minutes.”

But there is an interesting story about how this partnership got started. In an interview with Coach Unboxed, Williams explained how Taylor Townsend handpicked him despite not being a traditional tennis coach.

“She’s like no, I want you to be my tennis coach. And I said, you do realize I don’t play tennis, right? She said yeah, that’s why I want you to coach me, because the things that you’ve taught me, the questions you’ve asked me … nobody’s ever done those things before.”

According to Taylor Townsend, it was “perspective” that was going to push her “back to the top” of her game. She wanted to get better post-pregnancy, and guess what? Williams helped her become the first mother to be crowned doubles world number one. Quite fascinating, isn’t it? Share your thoughts about their wonderful stint, and let us know if you feel Townsend made the right call.