Danielle Collins mentioned Thursday she is going to return to the WTA Tour subsequent 12 months, a choice that comes 9 months after she introduced she would retire on the finish of the 2024 season.
In an Instagram publish Thursday, the world No. 9 mentioned defined how her ongoing challenges with endometriosis, an ailment that impacts the uterus, influenced her determination to lengthen her profession, noting “issues haven’t gone to plan.”
Collins, 30, had beforehand mentioned she needed to retire so she may have kids.
“Along with managing some lingering well being challenges the previous few months, I’ve not too long ago been seeing a handful of specialists to higher perceive what my greatest path ahead is to realize my final dream, beginning a household,” Collins wrote. “Coping with endometriosis and fertility is a large problem for a lot of girls and one thing that I’m actively traversing, however I’m totally assured within the crew I’m working with. It’s simply going to take longer than I assumed.
“So, the DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion. I might be again on tour in 2025.”
After dropping a three-set marathon to Iga Swiatek within the second spherical of the Australian Open in January, Collins informed reporters the 2024 season can be her closing one .
Whereas she remained steadfast all year long about her determination regardless of repeated questions on her future, she performed among the greatest tennis of her profession within the subsequent months. In March, Collins gained the largest title of her profession on the 1000-level Miami Open. She adopted it up by successful at Charleston the next week.
When talking to ESPN forward of the French Open in Could, Collins mentioned she was grateful to have the ability to go away the sport whereas on prime.
“I wish to exit actually taking part in on a excessive stage, and I need individuals to recollect me for the tennis that I used to be taking part in,” she mentioned. “Some gamers are virtually pressured into retirement, as a result of an damage after which falling out of the highest 100, and that defines the tip of their profession. This has been actually empowering in the best way that I have been in a position to make the choice to retire by myself phrases and have the power to decide on. I may select to proceed to play, however I am selecting to retire.”
She had publicly said her need to make her first Olympic crew in her farewell season and did simply that due to her surge within the rankings after the back-to-back victories. Nonetheless, whereas in Paris, she suffered warmth stroke and strained her stomach and misplaced within the quarterfinals. She has performed in solely three tournaments since, together with a first-round exit on the US Open.
Collins then declined an on-court ceremony there celebrating her profession, in what is usually customary for American gamers collaborating of their closing US Open. She later informed reporters she did not wish to have “an all-about-me second” and most popular to do one thing in personal.
She additionally was not sure on the time if she would have the ability to compete the remainder of the season however in the end performed in Guadalajara in September, dropping within the first spherical. She has not performed since.
It was beforehand believed Collins would formally finish her profession at subsequent month’s Billie Jean King Cup as a part of the U.S. crew. On Thursday, a information launch mentioned Collins can be a part of the year-opening combined gender United Cup in Australia.
Collins expressed pleasure about returning to the tour on the finish of her social media publish.
“Whereas there are not any ensures in life, I hope to construct on my 2024 momentum and maintain taking part in till there’s extra certainty round my private fertility journey,” she wrote. “The one assure for now might be some extra epic matches.”