American Taylor Townsend captured her first Grand Slam title as she and Czech partner Katerina Siniakova beat Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe in the Wimbledon women’s doubles final on Saturday.
With the rest of the All England Club in darkness at the end of a long day, Townsend and Siniakova shone under the illuminated Centre Court roof to win 7-6(5) 7-6(1) in what was only their 10th match playing together.
Townsend had lost in the U.S. Open doubles final in 2022 and last year’s French Open doubles final, but made it third time lucky alongside Siniakova who now has nine doubles Slams.
The 28-year-old Chicago-born Townsend, who became a mother in 2021, was overcome with emotion after a double-fault from their opponents ended a tight contest.
“I just have to say I’m so glad that I could team up with Katerina,” Townsend said on court.
I recall my first Grand Slam final at the 2022 U.S. Open where she thoroughly defeated me, so it was wonderful to be on the same side of the net this time. These past few weeks have been incredible, and it means a great deal to finally cross the finish line.
Routliffe, who along with Dabrowski secured the U.S. Open doubles title last year, will find some comfort in achieving the number one position in the women’s doubles rankings. “This was my first Wimbledon final, but I hope it won’t be my last,” Routliffe remarked on the court. “There’s something about Wimbledon that makes every match feel so much more emotional.”
Siniakova clinched her first two Wimbledon doubles titles with Barbora Krejcikova, who earlier on Centre Court defeated Jasmine Paolini to win the singles title. “I’m incredibly proud of Barbora and delighted that we could achieve this together,” said the 28-year-old.
