“I’ve also been undergoing a few egg freezing procedures”: Danielle Collins explains Australian swing absence as she joins Tennis Channel

Danielle Collins has utilized her official platforms to provide a comprehensive update regarding her physical status and professional plans heading into the 2026 season. The American veteran, who has maintained a low profile since her early exit at the US Open, directly addressed the growing speculation surrounding a potential definitive retirement.

The 2025 season proved to be a harsh statistical and physical reality check for the former Australian Open finalist. After entering the year with the burden of defending a massive points haul from her success the previous season, Collins failed to replicate the consistency required to remain in the WTA’s elite tier. She achieved a modest win-loss balance of 18-16 for the current year compared to the 40-plus victories she accumulated during her standout 2024 campaign.

This lack of continuity in results, compounded by forced withdrawals during the Asian swing, precipitated a sharp decline in the world rankings, leaving her outside the Top 40 to close the year.

Looking ahead to the start of the 2026 season, Collins has confirmed she will not be on court during the Australian swing, although she will maintain a presence in the sport. The American revealed that she is currently undergoing treatment for fertility that will keep her sidelined for the first part of the year. “I will not be competing during the first part of the year. But you will be seeing me in a different capacity with @tennischannel 🎤 This is all I will be sharing for now. More updates to come 😉"

To understand Collins' current predicament, it is imperative to review the unusual narrative that defined her 2024 campaign. Early that year, the American publicly announced it would be her final season, citing a desire to start a family and chronic health struggles. However, that "farewell" declaration paradoxically unlocked her best tennis, propelling her to back-to-back titles at the Miami Open and Charleston.

That surge in performance rocketed her back into the Top 10, creating an unprecedented situation where a player in "active retirement" was dominating the tour. Faced with these results, Collins decided to postpone her retirement indefinitely, extending her career into 2025 with renewed hope.

However, the 2025 season presented a drastically different scenario, highlighting the difficulty of defending an elite ranking with underlying health issues. The pressure to defend 1000 points from Miami and 500 from Charleston proved unsustainable. Upon falling early in those key events, Collins' ranking suffered an inevitable mathematical collapse. She went from being a contender for the WTA Finals to fighting to remain a seed at Grand Slams. The transition from a nearly "magical" 2024 to a 2025 marked by regression to the mean and injuries exposed the fragility of her ranking status, returning her to a zone that forces difficult draws from the early rounds.

Collins spoke openly about her time away from the courts, as the former world No. 8 announced that she is waiting for her return to the courts, although she will not be part of the season-opening Australian tour.

“I’ve been taking the last few months off to recover from the back injury I had at the end of the season,” posted Collins on Instagram. “ I’ve also been undergoing a few egg freezing procedures 🥳🥚 It’s been one of the coolest things I’ve honestly ever done! But at the same time these hormones I have had to be on are a real b**** 🤣🎢 “