“DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion” – Collins drops retirement plans

Danielle Collins, nicknamed DANIMAL, had announced to call it a day in 2024

Zuma/Panoramic

October 18, 2024

In a surprising turn of events, American Danielle Collins has dropped her plans to retire in 2024. Collins announced after losing to Pole Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open in January that she would draw curtains on her career before the year ended.

The American began competing professionally in 2016, reaching a career-high rank of world No 7 in July 2022. By the end of 2023, however, she was out of the Top 50 and dropped to 71st place in the WTA rankings after the Melbourne Major earlier this year.

Dealing with endometriosis, a condition that triggers an overgrowth of the uterus lining affecting fertility, Collins declared to forgo the racquet sport to start a family. But her retirement plans won’t materialise as planned.

“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,” Collins wrote on social media. “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.
Danielle Collins

The 30-year-old took the tennis courts by storm with renewed freedom after voicing her post-work goals as she claimed titles in Charleston and Miami — her first WTA 1000 glory, returning to the WTA Top 10 in May.

“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.”

The world No 9 was thought to swing her last representing the USA at the Billie Jean King in November, however, she’s reportedly gearing up for the 2025 United Cup to be held in Australia.