Danielle Collins has confirmed that she will not start the new season on the court, but rather in the studio, after agreeing to work with The Tennis Channel.
Collins, who is currently ranked 67th in the world, hasn’t played a Tour-level match since her first round loss at the US Open in August. More recently, she didn’t enter into next month’s Australian Open, which is the only Grand Slam she has reached the final at. Collins was runner-up in 2022 to Ash Barty.
Providing an update on her health on Instagram, the 32-year-old confirmed she has been recovering from a back injury. Furthermore, she has also been undergoing fertility treatment, which involves the freezing of her eggs. Collins originally planned to retire from tennis at the end of 2024 but delayed her decision due to fertility problems related to endometriosis, which she was diagnosed with in 2021. Endometriosis is a condition in which cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus (womb) grow in other parts of the body.
“Wanted to come on here and give everyone a little update since everyone has been asking,” Collins wrote on social media.
“I’ve been taking the last few months off to recover from the back injury I had at the end of the season. I’ve also been undergoing a few egg freezing procedures.
“It’s been one of the coolest things I’ve honestly ever done! But at the same time these hormones I have had to be on are a real b****.
“I am so fortunate for the friends that have been helping take care of me during this time. I have one more procedure to go.”
As a result of delaying her return to the Tour, Collins will turn her focus to conducting some tennis punditry for The Tennis Channel. However, the exact details of her new role are still to be confirmed.
“With all of this, I will not be competing during the first part of the year,” she continued.
“But you will be seeing me in a different capacity with @tennischannel. This is all I will be sharing for now. More updates to come.”
This year, Collins has played in 14 WTA tournaments with her best run being to the semi-finals in Strasburg. She also reached the quarter-finals of the Charleston Open. In the Grand Slams, she reached the third round at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
The former world No.7 has won four WTA titles so far in her career and has earned more than $10M in prize money.
