“Feel a little out of gas,” is what Danielle Collins said when she announced that 2024 will be her final year on the professional circuit. The 30-year-old American, who was suffering from a complex disease, as WHO puts it, suggested her need to start her own family with boyfriend Brian Kipp. However, fate took a complete U-turn as she reversed her decision. “I will be back on tour in 2025,” she announced on her IG in mid-October. Opening up on the same, she revealed the health issues that have been facing.

Speaking to The Athletic in Riyadh, Collins revealed the complexities behind her decision. “On one hand, it’s great that I have my career and that I have that to kind of fall back on while this next part of my journey in life gets postponed a little bit,” she said as reported by the New York Times.

Collins also spoke candidly about the difficulties of dealing with endometriosis, a condition that has impacted her both on and off the court. “But at the same time, it’s not an easy thing dealing with endometriosis. It’s incredibly difficult,” she admitted, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of managing the condition alongside the demands of a professional tennis career.

Despite these challenges, Collins achieved significant milestones in 2024. She captured titles at the Miami Open and the Charleston Open, reasserting her dominance on the court. She strung together a 15-match winning streak and boasted a 70% win rate for the year, second only to her 2021 performance. However, her momentum was halted by a stomach muscle injury at the Olympics.

Collins reached her third final of the year at the WTA 500 in Strasbourg, overcoming Siniakova, Burel, and Kalinina. Despite losing to Madison Keys in the final, she re-entered the top 10 for the first time since August 2022. Unfortunately, a stomach muscle injury curtailed her Olympic hopes. Her physical limitations were further exposed when she suffered an early exit at the US Open, losing to fellow American Caroline Dolehide. Amidst all the on and off court struggles, she touched upon the “support system” that made it all possible for her.

Danielle Collins opens up on the support that she received from the WTA world

In the same interview, Danielle Collins opened up about the crucial support she has received from her fellow players on the WTA tour. Reflecting on the journey, she expressed gratitude to the friends she has made within the sport. “One of my biggest support systems is the people that are in tennis, the people that I compete against, the people that I’ve become friends with,” Collins said. “Without that support system, it would be incredibly difficult to deal with all this.”

Collins also shared how a conversation with a fellow player who had undergone endometriosis surgery changed her perspective and offered much-needed direction. “I had a friend on tour that had endometriosis, and she said to me, ‘I had surgery for this.’ It changed my life and really helped me for a long period of time,” she recalled. “If it wasn’t for having that friend in that conversation, I don’t think I would have been steered in the right direction.”

With the backing of her support network, Collins feels hopeful despite the delays in her plans. Thus, with the new season coming in, fans will be excited to see what she has to offer. Will she be able to keep the form that she showed earlier this year and win titles? What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below!