Taylor Townsend Cheekily Calls Out Coco Gauff Over Long-Pending Business

Last month at Flushing Meadows, when Coco Gauff was asked about her equation with Taylor Townsend, the 21-year-old recalled an old episode and stated, “Taylor always has warmed up at the net since juniors. I played her in a challenger, like when I was 14 and that’s what she did.” And, ever since she was 14, Gauff has looked up to Townsend and has developed a close acquaintance with her compatriot. From talking highly of each other to sharing fun banter off the court, both the WTA stars have got each other’s backs. But recently, the 29-year-old revealed how Gauff is yet to deliver one promise that she made to Townsend.

During her appearance in an episode of The Pivot Podcast, dated September 9, Townsend spilled the beans on a dinner with Gauff that has never shaped out in reality just yet. Reason? Well, it’s been Gauff herself. While telling about her life beyond tennis and her personality in general, Townsend revealed, “I don’t be going to dinner with people, not the players. Me and Coco (Gauff) have been talking for a long time.”

She mentioned how Gauff kept telling her, “‘Oh I owe you a dinner, I owe you a dinner’. Girl, come one’.” Taking a fun jab at her compatriot, Townsend continued, “She owed it to me from last French Open. This is like, come on.” However, she cleared that “it’s nothing personal.” 

The hosts asking her the questions immediately burst into laughter. But talking on a serious note, she then also touched upon a crucial aspect regarding the challenges of being a tennis player. Interestingly, she brought Gauff back into discussion while taking a stand, like an elder sister, for the 21-year-old. Especially after her recent debacle in New York despite a successful French Open campaign months ago.

Taylor Townsend stands up for Coco Gauff after US Open setback

Coco Gauff has had an underwhelming season to say the least in 2025. She wasn’t able to perform at the best of her abilities for months until the French Open arrived in June. On clay, the former World No.2 found her groove and went on to create history. She captured her second slam (first in Paris), besting World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

However, the subsequent appearances of Gauff have been difficult. When she was expected to carry her French Open form into Wimbledon, the 21-year-old suffered a massive setback. In the first round, Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska ousted her in straight sets. The in US Open, four-time slam winner Naomi Osaka bested Gauff in straight sets in the fourth round, while ending her run in New York. Inevitably, the WTA star attracted growing doubts on her form and overall consistency. However, Townsend believes that people keep changing perspectives regarding a player in no time based on results. And they always keep expecting more from them.

Taking Gauff’s side while reflecting on the harsh reality of the sport, the 29-year-old said, “In the culture of tennis as well, you always have to prove it’s like on to the next, on to the next, on to the next. Look at the stuff with Coco (Gauff). She won the French Open. Now people are talking s**t about her because oh, we expected you to win. And she’s like, I’m not going to let this crush me,”

“That’s what she said. She’s learning, right? But the expectation around, you should be better and like you should win everything. like it’s asinine and it almost makes you like feel like you can’t be human.” Well, Townsend’s absolutely right here, isn’t she? What are your thoughts on her opinion? Let us know in the comments below.