Lagardère signs junior Townsend for representation

Lagardère Unlimited has signed top-ranked junior tennis player Taylor Townsend, touted in some circles as a potential next great American star.

Townsend

Stuart Duguid will coordinate Townsend’s management, teaming with Donald Dell, who will oversee her off-court marketing.

Townsend has no racket or sneaker deal, and Lagardère is already in negotiations on her behalf. The firm fended off overtures from other agencies to sign Townsend.

Townsend received a high degree of press attention in September, when The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Tennis Association did not want her to play in the U.S. Open junior tournament because of concerns over her fitness. She came anyway, advancing to the quarterfinals.