Danielle Collins Pens Stirring Tribute to ‘Bada**’ Wheelchair Tennis Legend Following Her Emotional Retirement from the Sport

Tennis, as a sport can be inspiring in every format. However, after a certain age, players hang up their rackets, leaving behind a legacy that will be taken forward by many. The same happened with Dana Mathewson, a 33-year-old tennis legend. Her journey over the years has been nothing short of inspiring and even Danielle Collins, couldn’t stop herself from paying tribute to the American legend.

Dana Mathewson, a decorated wheelchair tennis player, played her final singles match at the ITF year-end championship, marking an emotional moment for tennis fans across the globe. After the match, Mathewson expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported her journey. “I really appreciate the tour. I appreciate you giving me this tribute. I didn’t expect it, but I appreciate it very much. Thank you to all the people that came. Thank you to the players and my friends,” she said, addressing the crowd and her supporters.

Inspired by Mathewson’s career and character, Danielle Collins took a moment and shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram story. “Thank you @dana.mathewson for inspiring me #badass,” Collins wrote in her story. Her message reflects the admiration many feel for Mathewson’s resilience and contributions to the sport.

Mathewson’s accomplishments include winning the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon in 2022 with Yui Kamiji and earning gold medals at the Parapan Am Games in both singles and doubles. She has also proudly represented the USA 12 times, winning medals at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup. However, following her retirement, she opened up about her plans after she quit tennis.

Inspiring the likes of Danielle Collins, Dana Mathewson opens up on her plans post-retirement

As Dana Mathewson steps away from her competitive tennis career, she looks ahead with excitement, eager to stay closely involved in the sport. She looks for a multifaceted future, taking inspiration from her close friend Louise Hunt. “She’s now a consultant and she does so many things with the LTA, with the ITF, she does speaking engagements at schools, she’s written a book, she’s done all sorts of things, and that really excites me,” said Mathewson.

Mathewson is clear about looking for diverse opportunities rather than settling into a single role. “I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into anything at this point in time,” she explained. “With the growth that wheelchair tennis has and the opportunities that it has, it would be a mis-step for me to not give myself the opportunity to take as many of those chances as I can.”

Her immediate plans include mentoring junior players. She also expressed an interest in tournament organization, commentary, and broader contributions to the sport. With these aspirations, Mathewson’s impact on tennis appears far from over.