Serena Williams stands up for Taylor Townsend: ‘Everyone deserves to play’
NEW YORK (AP) — Serena Williams says she’s alarmed by the U.S. Tennis Association’s decision to hold a top junior player out of competition over concerns about her fitness.
Sixteen-year-old Taylor Townsend is the world’s top-ranked girl. The Wall Street Journal first reported last week that the USTA withheld funding her tournament appearances while she focused on getting in better shape.
“If that happened, that’s obviously a tragedy, because everyone deserves to play,” Williams said Monday, a day after winning the U.S. Open.
“She’s so sweet and she works so hard,” she added. “For a female, particularly, in the United States, in particular, and African-American, to have to deal with that is unnecessary. … Women athletes come in all different sizes and shapes and colors and everything. I think you can see that more than anywhere on the tennis tour.”
Townsend played at the Open, winning the junior doubles title and reaching the quarterfinals in singles.
“She’s still No. 1,” Williams said. “That’s saying something.”
http://thegrio.com/2012/09/10/serena-williams-stands-up-for-taylor-townsend-everyone-deserves-to-play/?fb_ref=http%3A%2F%2Fthegrio.com
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And by the way, Serena isn't exactly made of matchsticks:
Now USTA they're claiming that they only "suggested" that Townsend not play -- then why did they withhold her funding? So she's paid her way, helped win the doubles tournament and advanced to the finals of the singles. USTA has announced Townsend will be reimbursed for her expenses. Smart move.
rocktivity
