The 30-year-old American player Danielle Collins announced on social media Thursday that she had decided to continue playing into 2025 after changing her mind about retiring at the end of the current season.
After losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January, Collins, who is known as “Danimal” due to her aggressive style of play, declared she would be retiring at the end of the 2024 season to begin a family.
Collins revealed that her plans to start a family had not gone as smoothly as she had hoped, adding that she had been coping with some health issues over the past few months, including a diagnosis of endometriosis.
Collins wrote in a lengthy Instagram post: “Hi everyone, I’ve been a little MIA the last few weeks so I want to give everyone an update. It’s been a stressful time with these horrific hurricanes that wiped through Florida, and on top of it, I’ve been dealing with some issues around my endometriosis and other health challenges. While I was very excited and eager to wrap up my tennis career on a high note this year and jump headfirst into my next chapter of life, things have not gone as planned.”
She continued: “In addition to managing some lingering health challenges the past few months, I’ve recently been seeing a handful of specialists to better understand what my best path forward is to achieve my ultimate dream, starting a family. Dealing with endometriosis and fertility is a massive challenge for many women and something that I am actively traversing, but I am fully confident in the team I am working with. It is just going to take longer than I thought. So, the DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion. I will be back on tour in 2025.”
She added: “While there are no guarantees in life, I hope to build on my 2024 momentum and keep playing until there is more certainty around my personal fertility journey. The only guarantee for now will be some more epic matches. Thank you to all of my fans and the amazing people behind me who have been so encouraging during this time, and also to my closest friends on tour who have been supporting me every step of the way.”
Danielle Collins in 2024
Ranked world no.9, the American played her last match on the 11th
of September when she was overcome by world no.84 Olivia Gadecki 6-3 6-3 in the 2nd round in Guadalajara (draw).This year Collins has managed to achieve a compiled 42-16 match record. Collins has won 2 titles in 2024 in Miami and Charleston. Collins was the runner-up in Strasbourg.
Collins has scheduled to compete next in Tokyo (Toray Pan Pacific Open). She will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 21st of October.
Danielle Collins |
| Embed from Getty Images |
Danielle Collins in 2024
Now ranked no.9, Collins played her last match on the 11th of September when she surrendered to world no.84 Olivia Gadecki 6-3 6-3 in the 2nd round in Guadalajara (draw).
During this season Collins has managed to achieve a composed 42-16 match record. The American conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Miami and Charleston. The American reached the final in Strasbourg.
Collins has scheduled to play next in Tokyo (Toray Pan Pacific Open). She will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 21st of October.
Danielle Collins |
| Embed from Getty Images |