World number nine Danielle Collins has officially confirmed she will return to tennis in 2025, postponing her previously announced retirement at the end of the 2024 season. The 30-year-old American, known for her fierce competitiveness on the court, has been navigating ongoing health challenges, including endometriosis, which has impacted her journey towards starting a family.
Collins addressed her fans directly on Instagram, sharing an update on her current situation:
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.
While the bad news is that her journey has taken unexpected turns, good news is that Collins will continue her tennis career, as she expressed:
The DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion. I will be back on tour in 2025.
Announcing the decision to postpone retirement, Collins said that starting a family remains her “ultimate dream” beyond tennis:
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.
Collins’ candidness about her struggles with endometriosis sheds light on an issue that many women face but often remains under-discussed in public forums. Her courage to speak out not only empowers women but also highlights the strength required to balance professional sport and personal health challenges.
Despite the setbacks, Collins is hopeful for the future:
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 health battle comes alongside a rollercoaster 2024 season for Collins. After reaching the quarterfinals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, she suffered three consecutive defeats, with her last match being a straight-set loss to qualifier Olivia Gadecki at the Guadalajara Open last month. Despite this rough patch, Collins had shown remarkable form earlier in the year, winning back-to-back tournaments in Miami and Charleston in March and April.
On the day she announced her plans for 2025, Collins was also spotted among entries for the season-opening United Cup in Australia, set to take place from December 27 to January 5. Fans will be eagerly awaiting her return in 2025, hoping to see the American back in action and stronger than ever.
