Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Townsend Enters Australian Open After Vondrousova Withdrawal
Taylor Townsend is a tennis player who got a surprise chance to play in the Australian Open singles tournament.
This happened because another player, Marketa Vondrousova, had to leave the tournament due to a shoulder injury.
Townsend had already lost in the qualifying rounds but got to enter the main tournament as a lucky loser.
She will play against her fellow American, Hailey Baptiste, in the first round.
Townsend is also the top seed in the women's doubles event with her partner, Katerina Siniakova.
They are the defending champions and will play their first match against Anna Siskova and Magali Kempen.
Townsend has not had much success in the singles event at the Australian Open but won the doubles title last year with Siniakova.
Taylor Townsend enters the 2026 Australian Open singles draw as a lucky loser after Marketa Vondrousova's withdrawal due to a shoulder injury.
Townsend will face compatriot Hailey Baptiste in her first match of the tournament.
Townsend and Katerina Siniakova are the top seeds in the women's doubles draw and the defending champions.
Townsend's best singles results at the Australian Open were second-round finishes in 2020 and 2023.
Townsend and Siniakova won the 2025 Australian Open doubles title, their second Slam title as a pair.
- Who
- Taylor Townsend, Marketa Vondrousova, Hailey Baptiste, Katerina Siniakova
- What
- Taylor Townsend enters the Australian Open singles draw after Vondrousova's withdrawal
- When
- January 18, 2026
- Where
- Australian Open, Melbourne
- Why
- Vondrousova withdrew due to a shoulder injury, opening a spot for Townsend as a lucky loser
- Player
- Taylor Townsend
- Tournament
- Australian Open 2026
- Event
- Women's Singles
- Reason for Entry
- Lucky Loser
- Withdrawn Player
- Marketa Vondrousova
- Withdrawal Reason
- Shoulder Injury
- First Round Opponent
- Hailey Baptiste
- Doubles Partners
- Katerina Siniakova
