WTA players face a tough balance between motherhood and demanding tour schedules. American WTA star Taylor Townsend encountered a similar crisis as she missed out on her son, Adyn Aubrey’s debut journey to martial arts. Townsend, currently in Madrid set to face Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva, took a candid jibe at the pain female athletes go through while choosing between family and professional dreams.

The American WTA star showcased her son’s first ju-jitsu day in a touching story on Instagram. The first story had a glimpses of her son wearing the gi (aka: kimono). I’m missing my baby’s first day of ju jitsu crying real tears!” wrote the mother. In the next story, fans spotted Taylor Townsend’s depressed face for missing out on such an epic moment in her son’s life. “Like seriously breaking my heart that I can’t be there,” expressed Taylor of her not being there for her son.

Following a 2021 maternity break, the American star roared back in 2022, reaching the US Open final. 2023 saw the American star skyrocket, capturing two WTA 500 titles, reaching a WTA 1000 final, and securing her second Grand Slam final appearance at the French Open. However, 2024’s Australian Open’s early exit brought her close to her son.

To overcome disappointment, she kept herself busy with Adyn and shared some of those glimpses on her social media. One such moment was when Taylor was spotted with her son and pet dog in her lawn wearing blue attire and enjoying her jumps on her son’s trampoline. Fans witnessed another instance of the two when the mother-son duo had a noodle feast that turned into a “wholesome” disaster. Nevertheless, fans remember how Townsend thinks of her son to control her anxiety on the court.

Taylor Townsend reveals about feeling “butterflies” when she thinks of her son during matches

In an interview with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj, Taylor Townsend delved deeper into how her son Adyn Aubrey has helped her to maintain composure on the court. “It was actually crazy because when I was walking on the court, and there were cameras in my face, I was thinking, ‘Hi AJ,’ It was one of those moments where I was feeling butterflies. Just thinking about him at that moment. Kind of made me settle down.”

Taylor Townsend’s disappointment over missing out on mommy duties would have brought a little sadness in her fans’ hearts. Nevertheless, her fans wish her success at the Mutua Madrid Open so that her FOMO on her son’s little journeys can be fully compensated with the WTA star’s victory.