It was a full-circle moment in Taylor Townsend‘s career on Sunday, January 26 after winning the Australian Open doubles title with her partner Katerina Siniakova. She earned laurels as a junior in Melbourne almost a decade ago and now, her quest has reached the summit. To shake things up and make the celebrations more exciting, the American star wants to put her latest victory to better use.

Townsend and Siniakova arrived in Melbourne as the top seeds and favourites for the doubles silverware and their showing hardly disappointed. The pair breezed past formidable challenges en route to the title decider where they locked horns with Jelena Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei. Despite facing much resistance from their rivals, the top seeds outlasted them in a thrilling three-set showcase, 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-3, at the Rod Laver Arena to pocket their second overall doubles Slam triumph.

While the 2 hours and 27 minutes of play showcased their laudable resilience, it also boosted their credentials on the tour. Townsend collected her second major doubles victory alongside Siniakova after previously recording their feat at Wimbledon last year. Meanwhile, the Czech superstar enhanced her impressive doubles resume, which now boasts a jaw-dropping 10 Slam title collection in women’s doubles.

Following their victory and the customary celebrations at Melbourne Park, Townsend took to her Instagram to candidly express her success to encourage people from her community. She wrote, “This is really great tournament for Americans and girls that look like me, and I hope this can inspire a young girl from the South Side of Chicago, grew up in Atlanta, now in Melbourne winning the Australian Open.”

For those unaware, Townsend’s message echoes similar feelings previously voiced by American legend Serena Williams, a Compton-raised player who finessed the WTA with her feisty demeanour to earn her name on the big stage. An elusive 22 Slam win record held by Williams motivated young champions like Coco Gauff to follow in her footsteps so, naturally, Townsend wishes nothing but the best for the people of colour trying to change the face of the sporting world and their hardships back home.

Townsend also addressed her emotional victory at Melbourne Park to fans with an honest admission.

Taylor Townsend says she is ‘happy to rack up Slams’ with doubles partner Katerina Siniakova

It has been a whirlwind ascent to the top of the doubles charts for American superstar Taylor Townsend and her partner Katerina Siniakova with only eight months into their regular tandem.

While her singles campaigns have been largely shy of recording noteworthy outings, the 28-year-old hasn’t let those results leave a bad impression on her doubles adventures. Her synchronisation with the Czech sensation has only started to rub off the effects.

During the champions’ press conference, Townsend reserved a few words to express her elation at lifting the AO doubles crown. “I’m enjoying being able to have this success with her because doubles is a partnership, and we’re a team. I look at it as a part of history, where it’s nobody in our generation that is as decorated or that has accomplished the things that [Siniakova] has. So to be able to be on the same side as her, it’s an honour. I’ll be happy to continue to rack up those slams with her.”

Townsend will next take to the court for the Singapore Tennis Open, where she is slated to kick off her singles outing against R32 opponent and second seed Elise Mertens on Tuesday, January 28.