Pro athletes, even your favorites, have many, many layers of their stories they have yet to share publicly. Take Taylor Townsend, for example. The 24-year-old published a surprising story in *Behind the Racquet*earlier this year.

The world No. 73 has spoken often about her struggles over not having the same physique as other athletes. But her essay revealed even more as she opened up about her mother stealing prize money and endorsements from her.

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“This situation also taught me to never let my guard down when it comes to me and my business,” she wrote. “Looking back, I see that it was a refining process for both myself and my circle. I had to get rid of the dead weight.”

Townsend is good friends with Behind the Racquet founder Noah Rubin, and would reveal even more about her story on the TENNIS.com Podcast.

“I just trusted Noah to be able to use his platform for me to tell a piece of my story that a lot of people didn't really know,” she said. “I got actually a lot of really positive responses. Obviously things happen, but a lot of people don't really talk about it, so I just kind of wanted to be one of those people to say, ‘Hey, this is something that happened to me.’”

Townsend has since moved on, from both the body shaming and her mother’s betrayal. She stayed on course, and broke through last year by reaching the fourth round of the US Open as a qualifier, complete with an upset of Simona Halep, to firmly entrench herself inside of the Top 100.

“It is just part of what happens with athletics, entertainers, actors, actresses, all these kinds of industries where you start at a really young age," she said. "Some of these things happen in some way, shape or form just because you are a minor, you're younger and you have your guardians that are supposed to be making sure that things are taken care of for you in the right way."

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While luckily, not a lot of people related directly to Townsend’s particular family issue, they did contact her with feedback, support and more.

“I did have kids reach out to me saying that they've had issues with their parents or their parents are going through a divorce,” Townsend said (her parents got divorced when she was 12). “Just kind of asking for advice of how they should do things or just like, ‘Hey, I just needed someone to talk to.’

"I just tried to answer as many questions as I could or just kind of give positive feedback."

Townsend went above and beyond answering the call by sending a care package of tennis equipment to a struggling junior.

“It was just really cool that in sharing that piece that I could help someone in a direct way as well,” she said.

In times like these, expect to see more athletes like Townsend helping each other, and others, as the tours (and world) unites to come out the other side better, stronger and maybe even rid of some dead weight.