After originally declaring that she would retire at the end of the 2024 season, World Number 9 Danielle Collins has decided to postpone her plans and make a comeback to tennis competitions next year.
The 30-year-old American athlete shared that one of her biggest goals outside of sports is to have a family. However, she still struggles with endometriosis, which hinders conception.
In a social media post, Collins said: “It’s been a stressful time with these horrific hurricanes that wiped through Florida, and on top of it I’ve been dealing with some issues around my endometriosis and other health challenges. 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.”
“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 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,” she added.
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The athlete’s announcement was on the same day that she appeared on the roster for Australia’s season opening competition, United Cup, that will take place from December 27, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
Collin won back-to-back tournaments in Miami and Charleston last March and April. However, she has not competed again since losing to World Number 152 Olivia Gadecki last September. This was her fourth consecutive defeat since reaching the quarter-finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Source: BBC