Wimbledon: Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend win the women’s doubles title

American Taylor Townsend won her first Grand Slam title when she and Czech partner Katerina Siniakova defeated Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe in the Wimbledon women’s doubles final on Saturday.

While the rest of the All England Club lay in darkness at the end of a long day, Townsend and Siniakova shone under the illuminated roof of Centre Court, winning 7-6(5), 7-6(1) in what was only their tenth match together.

Townsend had lost in the doubles final of the 2022 US Open and the doubles final of the French Open last year, but she got lucky on the third attempt along with Siniakova, who now has nine Grand Slam doubles titles.

The 28-year-old Chicago-born Townsend, who became a mother in 2021, was overcome with emotion after a double fault from her opponent ended a close contest.

“I just have to say that I am so happy to have been able to work with Katerina,” Townsend said on the pitch.

“I remember her kicking my butt in my first Grand Slam final (the 2022 US Open), so it was great to be on the same side of the net this time. It’s been a fantastic few weeks and it means a lot to cross the finish line.”

After watching her long-time doubles partner Barbora Krejcikova win the Wimbledon singles title, Siniakova added another Grand Slam trophy to her own collection.

“Unbelievable. I’m so proud of Barbora,” Siniakova said of her Czech compatriot. “I’m just so happy that we managed it too.”

Siniakova has won seven major doubles titles with Krejcikova and one with Coco Gauff at this year’s French Open. This was her first with Townsend, an American whose previous best Grand Slam doubles results were two runner-up finishes at the 2022 US Open – losing to Siniakova and Krejcikova – and the 2023 French Open.

ALSO READ | Barbora Krejcikova beats Jasmine Paolini to win 2024 Wimbledon women’s singles title

For Routliffe, who won the US Open doubles title last year with Dabrowski, first place in the women’s doubles rankings is a small consolation.

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“This was my first Wimbledon final, but hopefully not my last,” Routliffe said on court. “There’s something about Wimbledon that makes every match so much more emotional.”

Siniakova won her first two Wimbledon doubles titles with Barbora Krejcikova, who had previously defeated Jasmine Paolini on Centre Court to win the singles title.

“I am so proud of Barbora and so happy that we managed it,” said the 28-year-old.

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(With contributions from agencies)

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“This was my first Wimbledon final, but hopefully not my last,” Routliffe said on court. “There’s something about Wimbledon that makes every match so much more emotional.”

Siniakova won her first two Wimbledon doubles titles with Barbora Krejcikova, who had previously defeated Jasmine Paolini on Centre Court to win the singles title.

“I am so proud of Barbora and so happy that we managed it,” said the 28-year-old.