USTA to #1 World Junior: You're too fat to play U.S. Open

jdubbs

Hall of Fame
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...959121916.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLE_Video_Third

As the U.S. Tennis Association continues its struggle to reverse the declining fortunes of American tennis, it seems fair to assume that 16-year-old Taylor Townsend would be welcome to play anywhere she likes.

Taylor Townsend, 16, is the world's No. 1 junior girls player and the reigning junior Australian Open singles champion.

The Chicago-born tennis prodigy, who is part of a four-year-old USTA-funded development program, is the world's No. 1 junior girls player, the reigning junior Australian Open singles champion and the junior Wimbledon doubles champion.

Thursday, she won two matches at the U.S. Open's junior tournament, the last a dominating two-set victory over Mexico's Marcela Zacarias in which she pumped her fist after winners and jogged to her chair for every changeover.

But unbeknownst to everyone outside her inner circle, the USTA wasn't happy to see Townsend in New York. Her coaches declined to pay her travel expenses to attend the Open and told her this summer that they wouldn't finance any tournament appearances until she makes sufficient progress in one area: slimming down and getting into better shape.

"Our concern is her long-term health, number one, and her long-term development as a player," said Patrick McEnroe, the general manager of the USTA's player development program. "We have one goal in mind: For her to be playing in [Arthur Ashe Stadium] in the main draw and competing for major titles when it's time. That's how we make every decision, based on that."

Townsend's mother, Shelia, who played tennis at Lincoln University, has not discussed the situation publicly before. This week she said she'd been baffled by the USTA's decision. "It all kind of came as a shock to us because Taylor has consistently done quite well," she said. Her daughter, she reminded, "is No. 1, not just in the United States, but in the world."

Before this year's Open, Taylor asked the USTA for a wild-card entry slot in either the Open's main draw or its qualifying tournament, which Taylor had played in last year. Her requests were denied. After the USTA asked Taylor to skip the U.S. Open junior tournament, her mother told them she'd pay her daughter's expenses herself.

The USTA's decision touches on two contentious issues in tennis: the relative importance of player fitness and the best way to develop talent.

Most American tennis prodigies have been developed by private coaches, academies and persistent parents, sometimes with supplemental help from the USTA. In 2008, though, the organization decided it needed to do more about the decline of American tennis and founded its first full-time academy in Boca Raton, Fla., where Townsend is one of 25 select juniors. The USTA also trains 41 juniors in Carson, Calif., and the National Tennis Center in Flushing, the site of the U.S. Open.

By benching Townsend, the USTA seems to be sending a message that developing solid fundamentals (like fitness) is more important for a player's long-term success and longevity than competitive results.

While the sport's top players have taken a noticeable turn in recent years toward greater fitness—a trend typified by lithe specimens like Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka—there's more to winning than subzero body fat. A quick glance around the U.S. Open reveals a fair number of less-chiseled players, such as Marion Bartoli and Stanislas Wawrinka, who both reached the tournament's second week.

On the women's side, former U.S. star Lindsay Davenport became No. 1 while ranking among the largest players on the women's tour at 6-foot-2 and about 175 pounds. And in 2007, Serena Williams won the Australian Open singles title while being in what many experts consider the worst shape of her career.

"You have to be fit underneath, I don't think you necessarily have to look ripped," said former No. 1 Mats Wilander. "Smart players can get away with being a little tired."

It's certainly possible that Townsend's fitness is holding her back, but her results suggest that her current form is more than adequate. In addition to triumphs at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, she made it to the semifinals of the International Spring Championship and won the prestigious Easter Bowl.

After Townsend lost in the first-round of qualifying at a professional event in Vancouver this summer, her coaches asked her to withdraw from the USTA Girls' National Championships in San Diego and return to the USTA's training academy in Boca Raton, where she now lives. She was put on double fitness duty and allowed to play just enough tennis to maintain her timing. "It wasn't my decision," she said. "But they didn't think playing was the best thing, so I went back."

If Townsend had won the San Diego event, she would have received an automatic wild card into the U.S. Open's main draw and with it, a rare chance to be seen by agents and potential sponsors (she currently has no agent). After she returned to Florida, Townsend was diagnosed with low iron during a routine checkup. Shelia Townsend said her daughter is taking iron pills and that the problem is "totally manageable."

Townsend, who possesses a sunny disposition, isn't holding a grudge against the USTA. "I've gotten a lot of great opportunities, great fitness, great coaching," she said. "I'm doing everything that they ask me to do and being professional about everything." Shelia Townsend, who moved to Florida with her daughter and works in the Palm Beach school system, agreed the USTA academy had been good for her daughter. "It has afforded her a lot of opportunities," she said.

Townsend will play Estonia's Anett Kontaveit in the junior Open quarterfinals Friday. She said she was asked to represent the U.S. in a junior Federation Cup event in Spain later this month. Beyond that, however, her schedule is unclear.

McEnroe said his development team still hasn't cleared Townsend for tournament play. "We'll assess when this tournament is over," he said.
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
Did anyone see the mixed doubles final yesterday. There was one guy who looked really fat and tubby. I just walked past the telly once and was shocked.
 

jdubbs

Hall of Fame
The point, though, is the USTA has decided NOT to let the top #1 Junior in the world into the US Open, and she is African-American to boot. Body types are not all 6 foot 130 pounds like the plethora of blondes from Russia.

She is in fantastic shape, and it certainly hasn't hurt Serena at all.

This is a scandal of the highest order. The USTA ought to be ashamed.
 

thejackal

Hall of Fame
Did anyone see the mixed doubles final yesterday. There was one guy who looked really fat and tubby. I just walked past the telly once and was shocked.

Marcin matkowski. Ya he's pretty wide.

Paes has gotten rounder over the years too
 

AnotherTennisProdigy

Professional
I can understand where they're going. This kid is a talent, and Serena is going into her 30s. I think they realize she could be the next American star, so the USTA is being cautious with her at a young age.
 

JMR

Hall of Fame
This is a scandal of the highest order.

No, it's not. Moreover, it appears that Townsend had the opportunity to earn her way into the Open, but she lost in the first round of qualies at a minor event. It's not a stretch to conclude that she's not ready yet for New York.

I don't know whether the USTA's focus on fitness is right or not, but it's not my job to cultivate tennis talent. I do know two things: (1) beating 16-year-old girls is very different from beating 20-something, Top 10-ranked women; and (2) the USTA is not in business to reward junior talent for its own sake, but rather to help it flower into adult talent.
 

Cormorant

Professional
Guys like Malisse and Tsonga melted in the Australian Open heat this season, but this sixteen-year-old coped just fine. And she's reached the QFs in the 2012 USO junior event, so these fitness concerns seem like they're being overplayed. The USTA must have some legitimate basis for their reproachful sanctions, though they couldn't be going about this in a less supportive way. Short of credible worries regarding the player's health, they're being total blackguards for trying to block her from a junior slam.
 
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Hood_Man

G.O.A.T.
It sounds like they have her best interests at heart, and if it helps her in the future she'll probably feel grateful they did it.
 

Vlad_C

Semi-Pro
Yes, she's fat.

This doesn't mean she should not be allowed to play tennis.
The fact that she wins matches says something about how poorly her opponents play.
 
I can understand if the USTA dont want her in the USO womens because after all she is a "girl" and has no rights to be in the main competition, however trying to ban her from juniors is just wrong.

She's No.1 therefore deserved her place.

BTW, She definately is overweight for a budding young tennis player.
 

Wuppy

Professional
Taylor_TOWNSEND_3469.jpg
 

Lee James

Rookie
I understand the need to push physical fitness, but I really dislike the fact that its been turned into a Nat'l news story... It's difficult enough being a woman, and trying to conform to societies idea of what the female form should look like, but even more so disconcerting when you're talked about nationally over your weight. Hopefully given how young she is, this doesn't turn into some crazy eating disorder.
 

Fee

Legend
This story has been burning up twitter since Perotta posted it last night. Kudos to him for writing it and to Lindsay, Martina, Colette Lewis and everyone else for spreading it around. This is appalling.

Fitness is not about appearance. Get the Anna Kournikova image of a tennis player out of your heads please and join us in the 21st Century. Fitness is about strength and endurance, not a little softness in your belly and thighs. People come in all shapes and sizes, and young men and women who are still growing and changing should not be subject to this type of silliness.

Taylor played two matches on Thursday, she was on court for over 200 minutes. She seems pretty fit for someone that age doing what she does. She played at the USO last year, and she played at the Aus Open this year. She's been doing everything the USTA has asked of her, but they still told her she couldn't play the National 18's this year, despite being the best player in the country. If she has the strength and endurance to play 3 sets of tiebreak tennis, then there is no need for her to "slim down".

I'd be willing to bet that half the people snarking on Townsend wouldn't be able to keep up with her on an average day of practice and training.

Here's a follow up article, with comments from Martina and Lindsay: http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2012/09/07/tennis-legends-livid-about-usta-decision/
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
The USTA and especially Patrick McEnroe deserves more than just ridicule over this. Something needs to be done!
 

accidental

Hall of Fame
Not sure what the problem is. She is part of the usta and is completely funded by them, she's not a pro making her own way. The usta should be able to tell her where to play and how train.

It's exactly te same as professional football (soccer) teams benching players for lack of 'fitness'. Even on crappy aus pro football teams if you don't meet certain fitness standards you get benched and forced to do double duty in fitness, an of you don't meet those standards by a certain time you get fined.
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
Not sure what the problem is. She is part of the usta and is completely funded by them, she's not a pro making her own way. The usta should be able to tell her where to play and how train.

It's exactly te same as professional football (soccer) teams benching players for lack of 'fitness'. Even on crappy aus pro football teams if you don't meet certain fitness standards you get benched and forced to do double duty in fitness, an of you don't meet those standards by a certain time you get fined.

If you're not sure, how about educating yourself on the situation. Particularly the comments by former pros/champions who went through similar scenarios regarding their bodies.

Townsend is the #1 junior, there are certainly more constructive ways to aid her with her fitness!
 

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
This is a bit lame of the USTA. Females rarely stay the same shape as when they're 16 through into their 20s... they mature physically and it's often the case that a slim 17 year old ends up a bit podgy and larger girls end up being super trim. And these changes are not all down to diet/exercise either.

She should just call their bluff and do some fitness training with *whoever* from the association and show them how good her fitness/speed is (or isn't).
 

frinton

Professional
Not sure what the problem is. She is part of the usta and is completely funded by them, she's not a pro making her own way. The usta should be able to tell her where to play and how train.

It's exactly te same as professional football (soccer) teams benching players for lack of 'fitness'. Even on crappy aus pro football teams if you don't meet certain fitness standards you get benched and forced to do double duty in fitness, an of you don't meet those standards by a certain time you get fined.

So you figure, a football team would bench their most successful scorer, because he appears to be unfit, but is still more successful then the rest of the team? Doubt it.

The USTA should IMHO assess the girls fitness level with a test, that proves tennis fitness and compare it to other players her age. That could be the base for a decision. But still then you would wonder, why is she still winning so many matches?

The only justyfiable argument for not letting her play would be, that she might hurt her body, because of her (over)weight. But from the pics, she looks not super slim, but also not super overweight. I'd call it a bit of babyfat ;-) which she might grow out of in the next few years or not, as her body is still turning from girl to woman. And there are ladies playing in the WTA tour, who seem to be more overweight and still manage to perform alright.
 

droliver

Professional
I think it's the right call to work on her fitness over junior tournament success. That girl is not in shape to reach her potential as a professional, which is nominally the USTA's goal for the program
 

nereis

Semi-Pro
I'll have to say the USTA made the right call this time.

The one and only goal they have is to make her into a grand slam champion.

Everything else, including her ego, is secondary.
 

Fee

Legend

Tshooter

G.O.A.T.
Interesting.

On the plus side (no pun intended) I can't recall another Junior that serves and volleys.

The girl she beat today wasn't exactly a model of physical fitness herself but if you want USTA support I guess you play by their rules.
 

tenniscasey

Semi-Pro
She should be sponsored by mcdonalds

I'll admit, I LOLd.

I watched Taylor team up with Eugenie Bouchard to win Wimbledon girls' doubles and I didn't think Taylor looked out of shape; she played well. But the USTA is entitled to its own higher standards, especially if it's footing the bills.

Sounds like the USTA and Taylor really need to just part ways.
 

Matt H.

Professional
if this is the direction the USTA is heading, then I'm simply done supporting them. I won't donate or be a member if this is the kind of decision making they are taking.

the #1 junior player IN THE WORLD. incredible.
 

tenniscasey

Semi-Pro
if this is the direction the USTA is heading, then I'm simply done supporting them. I won't donate or be a member if this is the kind of decision making they are taking.

the #1 junior player IN THE WORLD. incredible.

The USTA's primary goal isn't to mint junior champions who peak at 18.
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
What's gotten into the USTA recently? Are they now so bitter that American players don't dominate tennis anymore that they are lashing out at junior players? To prohibit the number 1 junior player in the world, and current junior Australian Open champion, from competing the junior US Open event, is simply vindictive. How can they do that? Don't rankings take precedence?
 
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Tshooter

G.O.A.T.
" To prohibit the number 1 junior player in the world, and current junior Australian Open champion, from competing the junior US Open event, is simply vindictive"

Except they didn't.
 
What's gotten into the USTA recently? Are they now so bitter that American players don't dominate tennis anymore that they are lashing out at junior players? To prohibit the number 1 junior player in the world, and current junior Australian Open champion, from competing the junior US Open event, is simply vindictive. How can they do that? Don't rankings take precedence?

It's idiotic. Something a regime like Soviet Russia or Iran would pull, not the US.
 

Tshooter

G.O.A.T.
Yes, she lost in straights today on court 17. Small crowd, maybe 25-40, though I'm not great at crowd estimation.

She made the doubles finals though.
 

Matt H.

Professional
The USTA's primary goal isn't to mint junior champions who peak at 18.

the USTA's mission statement is to promote and grow the sport of tennis.

They're a non-profit organization who is funded by OUR membership fees/donations/league fees and the running of the US Open.

telling the #1 American/World Ranked junior to stop playing, goes against their mission statement.

if the next American winning a slam comes at the cost of human moral decency, tact, and financial tyranny/bullying by "pulling financial support" to keep someone on a yo-yo string....then I don't care for it.

this is the begining stages of a monster being created. if you don't combat it now, it'll grow out of control.
 

Fee

Legend
They didn't 'forbid' her, they just said they would not pay her travel expenses to come to NYC. So, she and her mother paid for themselves (flights and hotel). Suddenly now the story is that they will reimburse them for their expenses. Because they got called out on it.
 

Tshooter

G.O.A.T.
I think some need to calm down. They aren't after this girl. They think they are doing it for her long-term benefit. That she can beat 15-16 year old girls is not necessarily indicative of her long-term prospects if she doesn't develop better habits on the conditioning.
 
I think some need to calm down. They aren't after this girl. They think they are doing it for her long-term benefit. That she can beat 15-16 year old girls is not necessarily indicative of her long-term prospects if she doesn't develop better habits on the conditioning.

That's fine, but telling her she can't play and pulling her funding is just ridiculous and vindictive. If they told her to get in shape and she refused, that's one thing, but they seemingly forced this on her as 'punishment' despite the fact that she's #1 junior in the world.
 

tenniscasey

Semi-Pro
the USTA's mission statement is to promote and grow the sport of tennis.

They're a non-profit organization who is funded by OUR membership fees/donations/league fees and the running of the US Open.

telling the #1 American/World Ranked junior to stop playing, goes against their mission statement.

if the next American winning a slam comes at the cost of human moral decency, tact, and financial tyranny/bullying by "pulling financial support" to keep someone on a yo-yo string....then I don't care for it.

this is the begining stages of a monster being created. if you don't combat it now, it'll grow out of control.

You should start your own tennis sponsorship for players who don't want their funding to be tied to their physical condition. Let us know how it goes.
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
They didn't 'forbid' her, they just said they would not pay her travel expenses to come to NYC. So, she and her mother paid for themselves (flights and hotel). Suddenly now the story is that they will reimburse them for their expenses. Because they got called out on it.

They didn't forbid her per se, but they didn't fund her expenses. It's still vindictive, and a 16 year old junior is an easy target. Had Taylor's mother not come up with the money herself, her daughter wouldn't have been in the tournament. There's something about the USTA's recent attitude that really bugs me.
 

jokinla

Hall of Fame
I saw a quick highlight of her sometime during the Open and thought, wow, she's a little thick in the middle to be the top seed, but congrats.
 
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