Why was Taylor Townsend Overlooked?

"In 2012, Taylor Townsend had to pay her own way to the U.S. Open. Townsend, who was then 16 and the world’s top-ranked junior girl, was discouraged from playing in New York by her coaches from the United States Tennis Association—the Wall Street Journal reported that they wanted her to focus on “slimming down and getting into better shape.” Patrick McEnroe, who at the time was the general manager of the USTA’s player development program, told the Journal, “Our concern is her long-term health, number one, and her long-term development as a player. We have one goal in mind: For her to be playing in [Arthur Ashe Stadium] in the main draw and competing for major titles when it’s time.”

(Josh Levin - SLATE.COM)