Perhaps with the freedom that comes with retirement plans being set in stone, it has given Danielle Collins a new lease of life on the tennis court as she approaches her final months in the sport and she has reiterated her commitment to leaving the sport at the end of 2023 despite a brilliant upturn in form during 2024.
Collins is into the semi-finals of the 2024 Miami Open easing past Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-2 to book her spot. This is six years on from her run at the same tournament and her only other WTA 1000 semi-final so potentially a great bookend to her career.
Questioned on whether it would be a decision that could change, the 31-year-old used her battle with endometriosis and the potential knock on effects for her wanting to start a family as why it wouldn't be changed with the Florida native saying that there is a lot more to tennis and that the decision she is making should be understandable no matter what form she is in. She will face the winner of Jessica Pegula and Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semi-finals.
"I've had to justify my decision a lot and I feel like if I was a guy I wouldn't have to as much," said Collins. "I'm living with a chronic inflammatory disease that affects your ability to get pregnant so that's a deeply personal situation. I've kind of explained that from time to time and yeah I think it's a good question, but at the end of the day, my choice is my personal choice."
"This has so much more to do than tennis and my career. I'm enjoying tennis and my career and I'm having a lot of fun competing, but this is a really big life decision. I think that should be pretty understandable."
Danielle Collins was asked a question in press after beating Caroline Garcia at the #MiamiOpen Q: What if you continue to have tremendous results and a great year, is the decision to retire a hard decision or a soft decision that can change? This was her detailed answer ⬇️
