Hunter and Townsend’s Unexpected Journey to Doubles Stardom

INDIAN WELLS, California — Eleven months after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture, Storm Hunter found herself part of the world’s top doubles team alongside Taylor Townsend at the BNP Paribas Open. The partnership formed out of necessity took off rapidly, leading them to an unexpected victory at Wimbledon in 2024.

“Do you want to tell the story?” Townsend asked Katerina Siniakova, who joined their conversation. Siniakova recounted, “My partner was injured, and I knew it was going to be a long time. I texted Taylor to see if she wanted to play some tournaments together … and she decided yes.” Their story exemplifies how unforeseen events can reshape elite-level doubles.

Hunter, 28, and Townsend also share their age but come from different tennis backgrounds. While Siniakova has achieved success with seven Grand Slam doubles titles, Townsend had not won a senior title before their collaboration.

“The cool thing about Wimbledon was we got our chance to get to know each other,” Townsend explained. “We literally sat down for like three hours during a rain delay and talked. We laid everything out — ‘this is me.’ So we really got a chance to get comfortable.”

Despite being individuals in a predominantly singles sport, Hunter and Townsend have developed an effective partnership characterized by collaboration and humor. Their tournament play has resulted in a remarkable 29-6 record this season, and they remain undefeated at 12-0 in 2025.

In their recent second-round match against Beatriz Haddad Maia and Laura Siegemund, they showcased resilience, coming from a set down and overcoming a 5-1 deficit in the match tiebreak to win, thrilling the packed crowd at Stadium 3.

“Don’t give us pressure, come on,” Siniakova joked when reporters mentioned their achievements in the interview room, eliciting laughter from both players.

Hunter remarked, “It’s really good we can talk to each other. You play well and then you don’t play well. You feel it, and you don’t want to mess it up for the partner.” This open communication is vital for maintaining a strong partnership.

Townsend highlighted the importance of their friendship, stating, “For me, personally, I’ve always done best with people that I’m friends with, because I feel like you can be a little more vulnerable.”

Siniakova, known for her keen intuition on the court, noted the benefit of having diverse styles in their play. “It’s really a big difference knowing that you can play everything,” she explained. “Our serves are totally different, which creates challenges for our opponents, as they need to adjust their positions.”

As they look to the future, the duo hopes to replicate their success at the year-end WTA Finals in Riyadh, highlighting their shared commitment to continue their winning ways. “I want to go back,” Townsend expressed, while Siniakova agreed.