Taylor Townsend is not quite happy with Italy this season. But it is not related to her participation in the tournament. Rather, it is due to her experience off the court. With a video update, she gave a glimpse of an unusual incident that she came across recently.

The Italian Open has started with full rhythm from today. And while every player was preparing for an upcoming clash in the tournament, a strange incident unfolded that captured Taylor Townsend’s attention. Through her Instagram story, she recorded a video of herself in her hotel with the caption, “Welcome to Italy, I guess, petty on 100000.”

An intensely loud and persistent horn from the window of what is presumably Townsend’s hotel room. Whoever the driver is, they seem to have some unresolved road rage as they keep the horn pressed for more than a few long seconds. As soon as it ends, Townsend gives a laugh, but if this is any indication of times to come, her stay in Itali is going to be tiring indeed.

The 27-year-old has been embracing international travel for over two years now. Before that, she was enjoying her battles in her familiar territory of American ITF tournaments. But after she came back from her maternity leave, Townsend brought a new perspective to her game strategy as well. And last year, she made her debut at the Italian Open. 

Speaking of her decision to play tournaments outside of her home country, she said she loves taking on challenges. “I’ve stayed in the States, and I know what that’s like. But I didn’t know what this was like, so I wanted to give myself that experience and that competition level.” And true to her words, her display of skills last year in the Italian Open won the hearts of her fans worldwide.

Taylor Townsend’s “proud” moment at the Italian Open last year

After Taylor Townsend aimed at competing in tournaments outside of her comfort zone, she admitted that it gave her a lot of confidence. Indeed, with her aggressive but calm composure under pressure, she won five back-to-back matches in the Italian Open last year. Not only that, but the impressive one among them was her victory against Bella Haddad Maia and the then World No. 3, Jessica Pegula. 

After her match with Pegula, she declared, “I’m very proud of the way that I fought and I executed my game plan. I’m most proud of the way I managed myself mentally today.”  

And now, as she commences the Italian Open for the second time, the tennis world is holding its breath for yet another of her exceptional performances. But before she does that, a weird but lighthearted moment off the court surely made for good laughter for all of us.