Danielle Collins is not done. Just when everyone believed that her career was slated to draw the curtains by the end of the 2024 season, a change in her decision surprised everyone. Nicknamed ‘Danimal’ due to her powerful groundstrokes and serve, Collins confirmed in January she would retire by the end of the year. She set her priorities straight and revealed her desire to start a family and not deal with the hectic touring commitment. However, she has changed her mind and has earned positive backing from a renowned journalist.
Collins recently revealed dealing with some health challenges, including an endometriosis diagnosis, that hampered her plans to start 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,” Collins revealed.
Ahead of the upcoming season, acclaimed journalist Jonathan Overend highlighted how the change in Danimal’s decision is much more complex than it seems. After announcing her retirement plans earlier this year, Collins was constantly questioned by the media whether she was certain about bidding farewell.
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“It’s never as simple as we on the outside always think. We sit in judgment, we sit and pontificate and talk about people like their commodities. These are human stories we’re dealing with here. And Danielle Collins wanted to retire so she could start a family. That hasn’t proved easy. She’s going through a lot to try and continue that process,” Overend said during a podcast episode on ‘Sky Sports Tennis’.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Danielle Collins (@danimalcollins)
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However, the 30-year-old is optimistic about her chances in 2025. Though she’s faced a rollercoaster of issues, Collins fared quite well in the season’s first half and is hoping to inculcate similar results in the coming year.
Danielle Collins ‘guarantees epic matches in the 2025 season to fans
American star Danielle Collins is aiming to stick her foot on the gas for the upcoming season. While she couldn’t replicate her Paris Olympics performance at her home Slam in New York, the 30-year-old is hoping to start afresh in 2025, with the United Cup followed by the Australian Open. She had some of her best moments this year as she lifted titles in Miami and the WTA 500 event in Charleston. And she is hoping to do even better next year.
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In a statement on social media, Collins said: “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.”
With a strong mindset ahead of 2025, Collins will likely recoup and train during the ongoing offseason. She hasn’t played since her opening-round defeat to Olivia Gadecki in Guadalajara, Mexico in September, meaning she would’ve had enough time to cover all bases before she makes her way to Melbourne next year.
‘Going Through a Lot’- Danielle Collins’ Retirement U-Turn Dissected With Empathy Ahead of Her 2025 WTA Comeback
