In the final Grand Slam of her career, Danielle Collins suffered a shock loss to Caroline Dolehide 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 in favour of the latter. But she also decided to snub the US Open's advances when it came to a farewell.
Collins still only 30 decided to retire at the end of the season aged 30 after suffering a number of health issues including rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis. A farewell ceremony seemed to be in the offing but 'Danimal' of course likely crestfallen after her loss decided to walk off court before even flowers could be given to her.
She explained the snub post match and said it isn't something she wanted. She said that she is still in the doubles and that she would feel like the character Gaylord from Meet the Parents in that she doesn't want a ceremony for '18th placed medals'. Essentially saying she doesn't feel like she deserves it.
Heading into the final Grand Slam of her career, she has been one of the standout stars of the 2024 season. With retirement looming, she has produced some of her best tennis but when the acclaim isn't for you, it isn't for you and in this case it wasn't.
"Yeah, I'm still in the doubles, and I had requested not to have any presentation on the court. I'm not somebody that, like, likes to celebrate my accomplishments," she started.
"I've struggled with feeling guilt, you know, around success, and that's something I have had to work on. So I'm not great, honestly, at having, like, an all-about-me moment.
"I just, yeah, would prefer to do something like that maybe in private, you know. But I feel like I've gotten enough attention to last a lifetime."
"I just, yeah, I mean, I was kind of thinking of that movie, I think it was "Meet the Parents" or "Meet the Fockers," where, you know, Gaylord has a shrine and all his 18th-place medals. I don't want to be like Gaylord, so I think I'm good."
Danielle Collins explains why she didn’t want a ceremony or bouquet of flowers after playing her last ever US Open singles match “I’m not somebody that likes to celebrate my accomplishments. I’ve struggled with feeling guilt around success. I’m not great about having an all…
