BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 14, 2026

Katerina Siniakova

Taylor Townsend

Press Conference

SINIAKOVA-TOWNSEND/Danilina-Krunic

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. If you could each just give your thoughts on what was the secret to your success this year.

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: This year? Okay.

THE MODERATOR: This tournament, this year.

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Hi, everyone. No, I just think that Kat and I just really enjoyed every match that we played. I mean, I actually looked at the draw and, I was, like, Our draw is really tough.

But we played some great teams. I think today especially we came out with a little extra motivation. I went to Kat, and I was, like, I need a hug. I was crying in the locker room because I was sad that I was missing my son's birthday. And she was, like, Okay, we do this for A.J.

So we were really together today as a team and really lifted each other up and just had fun. We enjoyed the moment. Every match that we played this week, we knew what we were going to do, but we came and we said, We're going to enjoy it, and we're going to have fun. We're going to smile, and no matter, whether we make a mistake or whatever, we're just going to have fun and enjoy it.

And so I really think we did that today. This was the most calm that I have felt in a final in a long time.

So we really just came together and played our game. Especially Kat, you know, in those tough moments, really came through and put the body on the line this whole week to get the title. So it means a lot to me, especially.

KATERINA SINIAKOVA: Yeah, definitely I would say I'm really proud how we, you know, spoke and were able to improve our things, what we want to do.

I think we played really great. We, you know, played what we wanted to do. So, yeah, I really enjoyed these two weeks. I'm really proud of us as a team and looking forward what's next.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Congrats to you both. Taylor, did you get some FaceTime in with A.J.?

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Yeah, I did. I called him. I talked to him before the match, and then I think I added to it, as well, because I was going through, like, photos of when he was born. So I was adding onto it, I'm not gonna lie (smiling).

But, yeah, I did. I talked to him before, and then I called him after. You know, he was in the thick of his party. He's having fun. Amped up on cake. I'm probably glad I'm not there, because he's a hyper five-year-old amped up on sugar. He's having fun.

Yeah, like I said, he was able to watch that moment, which is super special, and I'm happy that my family was able to send that to me, because those are the moments that make it worth it, for him to be able to see it and for him to be able to watch in real time of me shouting him out.

Q. How does playing doubles affect your singles game, either positively, negatively, or maybe not at all?

KATERINA SINIAKOVA: It's a good practice always (smiling). I would say from a young age I really loved doubles, because the serve and the return needs to be really on spot, really good placement, because if you don't play it, I would say, good, then the next player is there.

From my point of view, it really helped me to kind of get better in this serve and returns to singles. Also, I really love to play matches, because I think it's still more than a practice, because you got the nerves, you kind of want to win. It's still more than a practice match.

So, yeah, I think it's really helping me.

Q. I wanted to ask about the match, actually, a little bit. There were some tight moments. You guys were down 4-2 in the breaker, came up with five straight points, and then they broke you back. It was close again in the second set. So is that your guys' signature, being able to lift each other up when there is difficulties?

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: I mean, I wouldn't call it a signature. I just think that it's part of being a team. You know, if we didn't do it, it would be very obvious what would happen. Doubles is being able to work together through, you know, the good and the bad things.

You know, it's very many times that we have played where one is on, the other one is off, and vice versa. Or there are some things that are on and there are some things that are off, and you have to figure that stuff out that day. But that's not just doubles, it's tennis, period.

It's constantly adjusting and having to figure out how to play your best tennis on that day. That can look different from match to match.

So we felt like we were in control of the points, and that we were kind of losing them on our terms. So we just tried to keep going for our shots and doing the right things and setting up the points the right way. That's the only thing you can do.

I mean, in doubles where there is another person there, if you don't hit your spot, like Kat said, there's someone there. So you need to be accurate. There are some times where you do it and some times that we don't.

Ultimately, I was really proud of the way that we were able to kind of bear down in those moments. And then towards the end, especially in the last game, we said, Okay, we're going to go for it, we're going to play to win. We're not just gonna play to put the ball in, we're going to play to win.

That last game is probably the best return game we had in the entire match. We got back on the saddle after getting broken. You know, we just went back for it.

Yeah, I have been in that position a lot of times against Kat where, you know, she's down, and then things just start happening, so I'm really happy to be on the same side of the net as her (smiling).

Q. Kat, can you talk about your week? It was crazy. You played a lot of tennis, you got injured, had to pull out, but yet you were still able to show up here and win this doubles title. How tough was it for you? And, Taylor, after she talks, maybe you can talk about what it means to have her by her side.

KATERINA SINIAKOVA: I definitely enjoyed these two weeks. Yeah, I had a lot of tennis, but that's what I do. I love to do it.

I mean, I always say until I will be healthy, I'm going to play singles/doubles if I'm ready. Yeah, I mean, on singles, I was so proud. I just couldn't imagine to have, you know, better matches. Of course I kind of expect it that one day I will not be so, so ready to compete against those top players.

So when I had to retire against Elina, I mean, I wasn't sad because I knew I did everything possible to be ready, and I just couldn't continue to playing on this level.

So, yeah, I was really afraid how I'm gonna feel in doubles, but definitely, I mean, I definitely didn't even think about it to not step on the court even if I would feel, I don't know, really bad (smiling).

That's why we are two on the court. I think Taylor knew it and was really helpful. You know, she did a lot of work, and we are still two on the side.

So, yeah, on one leg it was pretty good, I think (smiling). I definitely felt that I cannot do normal stuff what I do. I couldn't run as much as I would like to.

But definitely I felt like free of injury that I had really good tape, and that I cannot, you know, how you say it, I cannot damage it more. So I was ready to fight. I think that's what's really good that we can spoke about it loud, and I can say whatever I feel and how I feel.

I think we did really good teamwork. Yeah, to think about the title after my retirement from the match of singles, yeah, I'm really proud. I mean, it was really good.

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Yeah, and like Kat said, we're two, we're a team. I'm proud of her to have stepped out each match. And, you know, she was very honest with me, Okay, I'm feeling this, I'm feeling that. That helps me to know where I need to fill in even more.

So we are super comfortable to communicate the good, the bad, like anything. So I think that we were very clear with each other on where each person was and what we needed to do, and we did it.

It's not easy, especially when we're going from one Masters to another. And, you know, these tournaments, the Sunshine Double, isn't easy to have such a quick a turnaround between Masters 1000s where there's such a high level from start to finish in these tournaments.

But I'm so happy and proud that Kat was able to continue and we're able to get this title and, you know, things weren't too bad. Also, just anything that I could do, I offered my team, my physio to help. Anything I could do as her partner to help, I would do and we did.

That's why I kind of shouted out the team, because it's more than just, you know, on the court. Her coach was helping me in practices and working on certain things, and he offered and she offered as well.

So it's more than just what you guys see out on the court. That's the end result, but all the things that go on behind the scenes to support each other is really what matters to me.