“She Didn’t Have to Explain” – Danielle Collins’ U-Turn From Retirement Receives Firm Backing From Andy Roddick

2024 has been an exciting season for Danielle Collins. In January, she expressed her desire to start a family and the health challenges she faced, leading her to announce plans to retire at the end of the season. However, after a stellar year that included winning her first WTA 1000 titles at the Miami Open and the Charleston Open, Collins decided she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to tennis just yet.

In a recent social media post, she declared, “The Danimal story has not reached its conclusion. I’ll be back on tour in 2025.” Fans rejoiced at the news, as her impressive form has made her one of the top stars in women’s tennis. Propelling her into the WTA top ten with a ranking of ninth. Which is a big jump from her previous position at the 71st rank at the end of the 2023 season.

On October 22nd, during an episode of the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, Roddick expressed excitement about her decision to continue playing, “Purely from a tennis fan perspective, I’m happy we’re going to get to see more of her. I’m happy—arguably the best year of her career, certainly for six weeks, maybe two months.” From March to May, Collins showcased impressive form. Becoming one of the top players on tour during that stretch. In her announcement, she shared the reasons behind her change of heart regarding retirement, discussing her health challenges. While Roddick understood her situation, he remarked, “She didn’t have to explain,”

Despite ongoing health challenges, including a diagnosis of endometriosis, Danielle Collins has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. As Roddick mentioned, “Without breaking a ton of sweat. I mean, she just looked like she had it for a while.” Her struggles were particularly evident during the 2024 Miami Open final against Daria Kasatkina. Despite battling severe pain from her condition, Collins fought through the discomfort to claim her first WTA 1000 title. She later shared that there were moments when she could barely move due to the pain but pushed herself to compete at a high level.

Overall, Roddick is just as glad as her fans to see her return, stating, “I hope that everything that’s way more important than tennis works out eventually the way that she wants it to.” However, it still remains to be seen how the 30th-year-old will finish this season. With the WTA finals fast approaching, it raises the question:

How will Collins seize the season’s final stretch?

As of October, Danielle Collins dropped from ninth in the WTA rankings, facing health challenges and performance fluctuations. After a strong start to the season, including significant tournament wins, her struggles ultimately cost her a debut qualification for the WTA Finals—an ideal send-off if she were retiring at the end of the season.

A few months back, Collins revealed her goal of running a marathon by the end of the year. After the Charleston Open, she shared in a press conference, “I’m training for a marathon at the end of the year. So, fun fact for everyone.” Her rigorous tennis training not only builds her physical stamina. It also equips her with the mental fortitude needed for such a challenge. In a post-match interview at the Miami Open, she expressed her commitment to launching a nonprofit focused on women’s health alongside her running ambitions.

While her recent decision to continue competing opens up exciting new possibilities, it’s uncertain how she will juggle her passion for tennis with her mission to make a positive impact off the court. One thing is certain. She’s ready to face whatever comes next with the fierce determination that earned her the nickname “Danimal.”