Danielle Collins, known for her outspoken personality on the tennis court, is stepping back from competition at the U.S. Open this year, focusing instead on community engagements and brand activations. After taking a year off, the 32-year-old athlete is non-committal about her future in the sport, having previously U-turned on retirement after the 2024 season.
Collins cited a significant back injury at the end of last year and a period of egg-freezing as factors influencing her current break from the demanding daily routine of professional tennis. "Right now, I’ve just been kind of enjoying tennis in a different capacity and taking it day by day," she told the Daily Mail.
Her absence from the tournament draw is noted, given her history of passionate on-court displays, which have divided opinion. Collins previously faced backlash at the Australian Open for her interactions with the crowd. Reflecting on these moments, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity. "You can never please everyone, right? And It's not my responsibility how people perceive me. To me, it's really important to just be genuine to who I am and to be authentic," she stated.
Collins finds comfort in giving herself grace for past actions, acknowledging that she, like all individuals, has shortcomings. "I can go home and work on those things and reflect and just try to do better. But I try to be really gentle with myself too, because I think we all can be hard on ourselves," she said.
Looking back on her career, Collins expressed gratitude for the experiences tennis has afforded her, including competing in Grand Slams, playing in the Olympics, and traveling globally. "I feel like I've been able to go to places in the world that I couldn't have even dreamt of," she shared. She highlighted her experiences in Saudi Arabia as particularly impactful, broadening her understanding of different cultures and perspectives. The connections and friendships built throughout her career are among her proudest achievements.
Collins, who grew up from humble beginnings, credits grassroots programs for making high-level coaching accessible to her. This experience has fueled her current involvement in community work, aiming to inspire children with similar dreams. "It feels like I'm doing something really meaningful and impactful," she commented.
She also voiced concerns regarding the rising cost of U.S. Open tickets and the associated resale market, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and accessibility in sports. "I think it's really important that tennis builds an inclusive community, that's accessible to everyone," Collins stated. "And I think if they price it out too much, it becomes harder for everyday fans to be able to have access to the event."
During her time away from playing, Collins has explored broadcasting, working with The Tennis Channel. Her background in Media Studies informed this move, allowing her to blend her passion for the game with her communication skills. "That was always kind of in the back of my mind," she said. She enjoys the team environment of broadcasting and aims to provide insight for both dedicated fans and newcomers to the sport, highlighting the diverse personalities and stories behind the players.
