Following the French Open, Taylor Townsend celebrated the milestone that sees two American Black women prominently positioned as No. 2 in the WTA singles and doubles rankings, with Coco Gauff securing her place as the second ranked Black woman tennis player after her first Grand Slam title. Taylor recently finished as runner-up in mixed doubles alongside partner Evan King at Roland Garros, while being eliminated in the quarterfinals of women’s doubles with Katerina Siniakova.

Taylor Townsend continues to hold the No. 2 spot in the doubles rankings behind Katerina Siniakova. Their partnership has flourished in 2025, marked by semifinal appearances in Miami and Indian Wells and titles at Dubai and the Australian Open earlier this year. This success has solidified their reputation as one of the most formidable women’s doubles teams in the sport.

In an Instagram post, Townsend shared the updated WTA rankings, spotlighting fellow American and African-American star Coco Gauff, who rose to World No. 2 in singles after her dramatic victory at the French Open. Although Gauff gained ground on the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 win, Sabalenka still holds a lead of 3,470 ranking points.

Historical Barriers Faced by Black Women in Tennis’s Elite Circles

The ascent of Taylor Townsend and Coco Gauff is especially significant given the longstanding lack of Black women among tennis’s top ranks. While Black women have played tennis for more than a century, it was only in 1990 that Zina Garrison became the first Black woman in the Open era to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, falling to 18-time Major champion Martina Navratilova 6-4, 6-1. Prior to that, Garrison reached three other Grand Slam semifinals throughout the 1980s.

Zina Garrison’s trailblazing efforts paved the way for modern champions such as the Williams sisters, Sloane Stephens, Townsend herself, and Coco Gauff. Traci Green, the Harvard University tennis coach, recalled the inspiration Garrison provided early in her career:

“I had never seen a pro match or Black woman professional before up close. A couple of years later, I met Zina and Katrina Adams and hit some balls with them. Had I not seen Zina frequently and up close, I don’t think I would have fully believed there was space for me in tennis and that I truly belonged.” —Traci Green, Harvard University tennis coach

Almost a decade after Garrison’s Wimbledon final, Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title at the 1999 US Open. Together with her sister Venus, Serena dominated women’s tennis for two decades, inspiring a new generation of Black players. Today, Taylor Townsend and Coco Gauff stand as vital representatives of their legacy in the sport.

The Growing Impact and Future Outlook for Black Women in Tennis

The presence of Coco Gauff as the WTA’s second ranked Black woman tennis player after her French Open victory marks a hopeful moment in tennis history. Her rise alongside Townsend’s doubles success reflects progress built on decades of overcoming barriers. As Gauff continues to challenge the very top of the sport, her achievements signal a broader shift toward more diversity and inclusion at tennis’s highest levels.

With formidable performances and strong partnerships, Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova have established dominance on the doubles circuit, while Gauff’s singles success inspires aspiring players worldwide. These breakthroughs not only celebrate individual talent but also cement the important roles Black women now play in shaping tennis’s future.