To the surprise of probably no one, Danielle Collins is back.
In fact, she never left.
Collins announced at the Australian Open in January that the 2024 tennis season would be her last on tour. The 30-year-old American played some of the best tennis of her career in 2023 and 2024 but planned to call it quits primarily in hopes of starting a family. However, Collins indicated that fertility issues have put family plans on hold–and thus she will be back on the court in 2025.
“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,” the former University of Virginia standout wrote on social media. “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.”
Collins, who is currently No. 9 in the world, finished runner-up at the Aussie Open in 2022. Earlier this year she went on a 15-match winning streak that spanned titles in Miami and Charleston.
