Danielle Collins has been one of the most captivating figures on the WTA Tour in recent years, and her story just took an unexpected and emotional turn. Initially set to retire at the end of the 2024 season, the 2022 Australian Open finalist had planned to move into the next phase of her life by starting a family. However, complications related to her ongoing battle with endometriosis and fertility issues have prompted the 30-year-old to reconsider her plans. Instead of hanging up her racket, Collins has decided to extend her tennis career, adding another intriguing chapter to her journey.
Collins was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2021, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide and can cause significant pain and fertility challenges. The condition has been a defining aspect of her career in recent years, as she has spoken openly about how it impacted her both on and off the court. After undergoing surgery in 2021, Collins made a triumphant return to the tour, famously reaching the final of the Australian Open in 2022, where she narrowly lost to Ashleigh Barty. Her resilience in the face of these challenges has endeared her to fans and established her as a role model for athletes dealing with similar health issues.
At the beginning of 2024, Collins made a surprising announcement that this would be her final season on tour. Despite a stellar first half of the year, in which she claimed back-to-back titles at the Miami Open and Charleston Open, she remained steadfast in her decision to retire, citing her desire to focus on starting a family. Her victories propelled her into the top 10 in the WTA rankings, peaking at number nine, and she appeared to be heading toward a fitting and triumphant conclusion to her career. However, as the year progressed, Collins faced new challenges that forced her to reconsider her plans.
In recent months, Collins has been notably absent from the tour, raising concerns about her health. Fans and commentators were left guessing about her situation until she broke her silence in a heartfelt Instagram post, explaining the reasons behind her absence and her decision to continue playing in 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 wrote. Collins went on to detail her ongoing struggles with fertility linked to her endometriosis diagnosis, a condition that has complicated her plans to start a family.
“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,” she continued. “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.”
In a candid and powerful admission, Collins announced that her retirement plans were on hold and that she would return to the tour in 2025. “So, the DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion. I will be back on tour in 2025,” she stated, using her famous nickname, “the DANIMAL,” a reference to her tenacity on court. “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.”
This decision has undoubtedly been a difficult one for Collins, but it speaks to her resilience and determination—qualities that have defined her throughout her career. Her openness about her personal health struggles has also made her one of the most compelling and relatable players on the women’s tour. In 2022, she captured headlines when she opened up about the pain she endured due to endometriosis, describing how it affected her both mentally and physically. “When so much of the advice you’ve gotten over the years is that painful periods are normal, taking anti-inflammatories on a regular basis is normal, I felt like it was something that I just had to deal with,” she said after her quarterfinal victory at the 2022 Australian Open.
The pain became so severe that it reached a breaking point. “It finally got to the point where I couldn’t deal any longer with it physically or mentally,” she explained. “Once I was able to get the proper diagnosis and the surgery, I feel like it’s helped me so much—not just from a physical standpoint but from a mental standpoint. When you’re dealing with that type of physical pain multiple weeks out of the month, you’re not putting yourself in a position to be able to perform consistently and to be at your best, whether as an athlete or a person.”
Collins’ decision to extend her career has come as a surprise, but it has been met with excitement from fans and fellow players alike. Known for her fiery personality and aggressive style of play, Collins has always been a player who thrives on competition, and her return to the court in 2025 will be highly anticipated. Her inclusion in the US team for the United Cup in Australia at the start of the 2025 season has already raised eyebrows, signaling that she is serious about returning to top form.
In the meantime, Collins remains focused on both her tennis and her personal journey. As she continues to navigate the complexities of fertility and endometriosis, her willingness to speak openly about her struggles has made her a force for good in the world of women’s sports. Whether it’s through her inspiring performances on the court or her advocacy for women’s health off it, Danielle Collins’ story is far from over. The tennis world will be watching closely as “the DANIMAL” writes the next chapter of her remarkable career.