It was supposed to be over. If you follow tennis even casually, you probably remember the emotional scene at the 2024 Australian Open. Danielle Collins, the woman they call "Danimal" for her ferocious, take-no-prisoners intensity, announced she was done. 2024 would be her victory lap. She wanted to start a family, and she wanted to do it while her body—battered by rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis—still gave her a window to do so.
But then, she started winning. Like, a lot.
She didn't just win; she went on a tear that made the retirement talk feel almost absurd. She snatched the Miami Open title—her first WTA 1000—and then turned around and won Charleston immediately after. People were confused. Why walk away when you're playing the best tennis of your life?
Honestly, the answer is a lot more complicated than "she changed her mind." It’s about health, biology, and the sheer unpredictability of being one of the most honest athletes on the tour. As of early 2026, the story has taken another turn.
The 2025 Pivot: Why the Retirement Was Postponed
Most fans thought the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup would be the end of the road. Instead, Collins took to social media to drop a bombshell: the "Danimal" story wasn't finished. She officially pushed her retirement into the 2025 season.
The reality of her situation is something many women deal with, but few discuss on a global stage. Dealing with endometriosis and fertility isn't a linear process. It's messy. Collins was incredibly transparent about the fact that her journey toward motherhood was taking longer than she’d initially hoped.
She decided that if she couldn't start that next chapter yet, she wasn't going to sit around and wait. She was going back to work.
📖 Related: Shedeur Sanders Draft Room: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Throughout 2025, she remained a force, though the physical toll was obvious. She wasn't consistently winning every week, but she was still that player no one wanted to see in their section of the draw. By late 2025, her ranking sat around the mid-60s. Not the Top 10 heights of her 2022 Australian Open final run, but enough to stay dangerous.
What’s Happening Right Now in 2026?
If you’re looking for her name on the 2026 Australian Open entry list, you won't find it.
Basically, Collins is taking a step back from the court for the first half of 2026. This isn't necessarily "The End," but it's a significant pause. She’s currently focusing on an egg-freezing process and recovery from lingering physical issues.
But she hasn't vanished. In a classic "post-playing career" move that actually fits her perfectly, she has joined The Tennis Channel as a commentator. If you’ve ever heard her in a press conference, you know she’s sharp, direct, and doesn't do "fluff." She’s bringing that same energy to the booth. It’s kinda the perfect transition for someone who has always been one of the most vocal personalities in the game.
The Health Battle Nobody Sees
It’s easy to watch a pro athlete and think they’re invincible. For Danielle Collins, every match was a calculated risk.
She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) back in 2019. For a tennis player, RA is a nightmare. It’s an autoimmune disease where your body attacks your joints. Think about the repetitive stress of a pro tennis match. The sprinting, the sudden stops, the high-velocity swings. Now imagine doing that while your joints are actively inflamed.
👉 See also: Seattle Seahawks Offense Rank: Why the Top-Three Scoring Unit Still Changed Everything
Then there’s the endometriosis. In 2021, she had emergency surgery to remove a cyst the size of a tennis ball. She’s been open about the "back-breaking" pain she endured before that surgery. Most people would have retired right then. She came back and made a Grand Slam final.
Why "Danimal" Actually Matters
There’s a lot of debate about Danielle’s on-court persona. Some people find her "Come on!" yells and aggressive fist pumps to be too much. They think she's trying to provoke opponents.
But if you look at her background, it makes total sense. She didn't come through the country club system or an elite academy like IMG. She played college tennis at the University of Virginia. She’s a two-time NCAA champion.
In college tennis, the atmosphere is rowdy. It’s loud. It’s a team fight. She brought that "college energy" to a professional tour that can sometimes feel a bit cold and robotic. She treats a Tuesday afternoon match in a 250-level tournament like it’s the Super Bowl.
That’s why she has such a die-hard fanbase. You always know exactly how she’s feeling. There’s no mask.
Misconceptions About Her Career
People often label her as a "late bloomer."
✨ Don't miss: Seahawks Standing in the NFL: Why Seattle is Stuck in the Playoff Purgatory Middle
Is that true? Sorta. She didn't turn pro until she was 22 because she wanted her degree first. In a sport where 17-year-olds are often hyped as the "next big thing," 22 feels old. But that maturity is exactly what allowed her to handle the RA diagnosis without spiraling. She had a life outside of tennis. She knew she was more than just a ranking.
The major highlights:
- 2022 Australian Open Final: Her peak ranking of World No. 7 followed this run.
- 2024 Miami Open Title: Winning a 1000-level event as an unseeded player in her home state.
- 2024 Charleston Open: Proving the Miami win wasn't a fluke by dominating on clay.
Navigating the Next Chapter
So, what should fans expect next?
The door isn't 100% closed on a return to the court later in 2026, but the focus has clearly shifted. She’s prioritizing her long-term health and her dream of starting a family.
For anyone following her story, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding her current status:
- Watch her on TV: Her insights on the Tennis Channel are probably the best tactical breakdowns you’ll get right now. She understands the "war" of the baseline better than almost anyone.
- Health Advocacy: She continues to be a vocal advocate for women’s health, specifically regarding endometriosis. She’s debunking the myth that "painful periods are normal."
- The Rankings: Don't expect to see her name in the Top 100 for much longer if she stays off the tour. But for Collins, the ranking has always been secondary to the fight.
She’s a reminder that professional sports isn't just about the trophies; it's about the humans behind them. Whether she hits another competitive forehand or not, she’s already left a massive footprint on the WTA.
If you're dealing with chronic health issues or trying to balance a high-pressure career with personal goals, look at how Collins handled 2024 and 2025. She didn't follow the "standard" retirement script because life isn't a script. Sometimes you have to change your mind, pivot, and keep shouting "Come on!" until the job is actually done.
Keep an eye on the Tennis Channel broadcasts during the clay season—that’s where you’ll find the Danimal in her new habitat.