Taylor Townsend recently shared the story behind her choice to wear a ‘Phoenix’ kit from her own apparel line during the 2025 US Open. The American had struggled to secure an apparel sponsor, prompting her to take initiative by debuting self-designed clothing at this year’s French Open.
Townsend’s tennis kit features a distinctive “TT” logo, which she developed in collaboration with designer Alexander John, who has worked with brands like LA Gear and Puma, among others.
What Did Taylor Townsend Say About Wearing a ‘Phoenix’ Kit at US Open 2025?
At the 2025 US Open, Townsend began her singles campaign by defeating Antonia Ružić with a score of 6-4, 6-4, and 25th seed Jeļena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in the first and second rounds, respectively.
Townsend then advanced to the fourth round after overcoming fifth seed Mirra Andreeva with a score of 7-5, 6-2. This marks the second time Townsend has reached the fourth round at her home Grand Slam, the first being in 2019.
During the post-match press conference following her win over Andreeva, Townsend explained her reason for wearing the “Phoenix kit” at the tournament. She wore a black kit adorned with flame details for her second and third-round matches.
The former World No. 46 articulated that, much like a phoenix, she has shed her old self to emerge as a renewed “person,” “player,” and “woman.”
“One of the reasons why I did the Phoenix kit for myself. A phoenix is a made-up creature, but the premise is that you have to burn or lose your old self in order to emerge as something new. And I feel like that’s indicative of my career, me as a person, me as a woman, me as a player,” Townsend said.
View this post on Instagram
Townsend expressed that while people previously complimented her performances, there was often an underlying tone of doubt. However, she has since overcome those doubts and emerged as a “new person.”
“As a tennis player, people have always said, “Oh, you’re so talented. You have so many weapons. You have so many things you can do, but…” It was always a ‘but.’ And I feel like the work that I’ve put in and all the things that I’ve been doing have eliminated that, ‘but.’ So I’m emerging as a new person,” she continued.
Speaking about reaching the Round of 16 in the singles at the US Open, Townsend said that she was proud of her performance in the third round and how she handled her “business” and maintained her focus.
“I feel like today I’ve leveled up, and I’m really just so proud of myself. I’m so proud of the way that I showed up tonight, the way that I handled business, the way that I kept my head on,” Townsend added.
You do not want to face Taylor Townsend inside Arthur Ashe Stadium 😤 pic.twitter.com/KTaLP92AQD
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2025
In addition to her singles campaign, Townsend is also competing in the doubles event at the 2025 US Open alongside Kateřina Siniaková. They are the top-seeded team and have reached the second round, where they will face the duo of Alycia Parks and Dayana Yastremska.
The 29-year-old also participated in the mixed doubles event at the New York Major with Ben Shelton, and they lost in the second round to fellow Americans Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison.
Who Will Taylor Townsend Face at the 2025 US Open 4R?
Following her victory over Andreeva in the third round of the 2025 US Open, Townsend is set to face Barbora Krejčíková in the fourth round of the tournament.
What a match from Taylor Townsend! pic.twitter.com/fwhA5OYfKb
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2025
Krejčíková began her campaign at the New York Major by defeating 22nd seed Victoria Mboko with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2, and Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 6-2 in the first and second rounds, respectively. She secured her place in the fourth round against Townsend by eliminating 10th seed Emma Navarro with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round.
Townsend and Krejčíková have faced each other only once on the WTA Tour: in the first round of the 2017 Launceston Tennis International, where the Czech won 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-2. The winner of their upcoming fourth-round match at Flushing Meadows will advance to face either fourth seed Jessica Pegula or Ann Li in the quarterfinals.
