Danielle Collins says decision to delay retirement due to fertility issues is ‘bittersweet’

Danielle Collins says her decision to delay retirement due to fertility issues is “bittersweet”.

The former Australian Open finalist had intended to retire at the end of 2024 with plans to start a family, but decided she would tour in 2025 after endometriosis prompted her to rethink.

Collins, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2021, said in January that she wanted this to be her last season on tour and had a stellar first half of the year that saw her win back-to-back titles in Miami and Charleston.

“I think my career right now is a really good distraction from everything else that’s going on,” Collins said in an interview. Sky Sports Tennis.

“It’s bittersweet and I’m really excited to continue the game, but I also hope the next chapter comes out sooner rather than later.

“Obviously it’s been so encouraging to hear all these positive words from these tennis players and a lot of the girls I’m competing against, they’ve been a huge support system for me over the last couple of months and when I’ve had tough times previously.

“I’m really looking forward to staying on the sidelines and continuing to compete on tour.”

Collins, currently ranked 10th in the world, was recently absent from the tour due to health concerns, but eyebrows were raised when her name appeared in the USA squad for the United Cup in Australia, the first event of the 2025 season.

“(There are) definitely mixed emotions, and going through all of these meetings and trying to process all the information that you’re getting through the process has been difficult at times over the last couple of weeks,” she added.

“When I was going through it, I was also thinking, ‘How lucky am I to have the opportunity to come back to a career?’

“I couldn’t imagine not going through those assignments and understanding the challenges that can come with those experiences and having a career.”

Collins last competed at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico, where she was eliminated in the first round after losing to Olivia Gadeki 3–6 (3–6).

Prior to this, the 30-year-old American was defeated in the first round of the US Open.

“Dealing with endometriosis and infertility is a huge challenge for many women and it is something I am actively involved with, but I have complete confidence in the team I work with. It’s just going to take longer than I thought,” Collins wrote in a blog post. Instagram.

“Although I was very excited and eager to end my tennis career on a high note this year and jump headfirst into the next chapter of my life, things did not go as planned.

“In addition to dealing with some lingering health issues over the past few months, I recently reached out to several specialists to better understand what my best path forward is to achieve my lifelong dream of starting a family.

“So, the story of DANIMAL (her nickname) is not over yet. I’ll be back on tour in 2025.”

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is an incurable disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the uterus, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

The condition affects one in 10 women and also affects fertility, making it difficult for women to conceive.

There is currently no cure for this condition, but the tissue can be removed surgically, but there is no guarantee that it will not return.

In women, the condition is as common as diabetes, and around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth in the country are currently living with the condition, according to the charity Endometriosis UK.

What’s coming to Sky Sports Tennis?

WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2–9)
Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3–9)
Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3–9 – Cameron Norrie in action)
Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (10–17 November)

Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TVstreaming service NOW And Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.