Taylor Townsend defeated Nao Hibino 6-7(3), 6-0, 7-5 in the first qualifier of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Monday, January 12. Townsend is expected to play both the doubles and singles disciplines at the Grand Slam, provided she cruises through her singles qualifiers.
While Townsend had to fight her way back into the game after losing the first set in a tiebreak, she didn’t lose hope and upped the ante in the second set to break her opponent thrice before sealing the win in the third. During the game, fans noticed a change in Townsend’s outfit; she was wearing a white bow in her hair.
Taking to her social media account, the American explained what that bow signified. She shared an image from the 2012 Australian Open, where she won both singles and doubles junior championships.
The similarity between the 2012 image and her current appearance was the bow in her hair. The image was sent to Townsend by her father after her win on Monday.
“Y’all, my dad just sent me this! Back in 2012. I won the junior Australian Open in singles and doubles, but the bow and braces were my signature. No braces, but the bow has been revived,” wrote the American.
