2024 Finals players to watch: Danielle Collins
05/11/2024 16:08
The final chapters of the Danielle Collins story looked set to be played out at this year's Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, yet those plans have been shelved for now
By Kevin Palmer
At the age of 30, Collins confirmed she would be calling time on her professional tennis career at the end of this year and the Billie Jean King Cup Finals looked set to be the perfect stage for her farewell matches.
Collins made her retirement announcement back in February and it proved to be a starting point for a surge in positive form, as she rose from No. 71 in the WTA rankings and back into the top ten after a sparkling run of wins.
The Florida-born star claimed her first WTA 1000 win at the Miami Open in March and added the Charleston Open clay court title to her record a week later after a win against Daria Kasatkina in the final.
A run to the fourth round at Wimbledon was another highlight and while Collins has been constantly asked whether she will reverse her retirement plan, she insisted she was ready for a new chapter in her life.
Yet that stance changed in mid-October, as she served up a very personal statement to confirm her intention to continue in the sport into 2025.
"While I was very excited and eager to wrap up my tennis career on a high note this year and jump headfirst into my next chapter of life, things have not gone as planned," she said in a post on Instagram.
"In addition to managing some lingering health challenges the past few months, I've recently been seeing a handful of specialists to better understand what my best path forward is to achieve my ultimate dream, starting a family.
"Dealing with endometriosis and fertility is a massive challenge for many women and something that I am actively traversing, but I am fully confident in the team I am working with. It is just going to take longer than I thought.
"So, the DANIMAL (her nickname) story has not reached its conclusion. I will be back on tour in 2025.
"While there are no guarantees in life, I hope to build on my 2024 momentum and keep playing until there is more certainty around my personal fertility journey. The only guarantee for now will be some more epic matches."
When Collins looks back on her tennis story, Billie Jean King Cup ties are among her highlights and that may explain why she jumped at the chance to play for her country once again when USA captain Lindsay Davenport gave her the call.
"For me, my most memorable weeks are in the Billie Jean King Cup and being able to represent my country, with the camaraderie that all of us Americans get to share," reflects Collins.
"We have a really special group. I feel like that's been a huge product of Kathy Rinaldi (former USA captain who stepped down last year) and building a strong culture around American tennis.
"I can't tell you how many players have come up to me in the locker rooms talking about our team. I had somebody come up a few weeks ago and say, I really wish I could be on the American team because you guys are always laughing and having so much fun, and you all seem so genuine.
"That couldn't be a bigger compliment to all of us because I just think it speaks to how all of us are as people.
"I've just had such wonderful experiences on those teams and incredible memories. To be able to play in the Olympics in my final year with so many of the women that I have known for a long time was just great. I've known Jess (Pegula) since we were young teenagers. We have known each other since we were really young, like 10, 11 years old at nationals.
"I've known Coco (Gauff) now for a good majority of her life because she's so young, and Emma Navarro too. I've known her for a little while."
Collins has a real passion for the Billie Jean King Cup and has even hinted that she would be interested in becoming USA captain in the future.
"It would be an honour one day to be able to be in the position, but we'll see. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to do that," she added when asked about her captaincy ambitions.
"I think one of my passions outside of competing and doing this as a career is helping a lot of the juniors and younger players, and trying to be a role model for them on and off the court.
"I have tried to make myself available for any of the up-and-coming girls, especially the American girls, and to be someone that they can go to and ask for advice, ask for help and practice with."
After a thrilling run of form in 2024, Collins may be daring to dream that a brilliant year will end with her hitting the winning shot as the USA clinch their 19th Billie Jean King Cup title in Malaga.
