Danielle Collins isn’t retiring from tennis after all. It will return in 2025 | News, Sports, Employment

FILE – Danielle Collins of the United States reacts in the first set against Caroline Dolehide of the United States during the first round of the US Open tennis championships on August 27, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Danielle Collins says she has changed her mind about retiring from the WTA Tour at the end of this year and will return in 2025.

The 30-year-old American said on her Instagram account on Thursday that after dealing with hurricanes in her home state of Florida and seeing specialist doctors about her health issues, she has been “A bit MIA (missing in action) the last few weeks.”

“Dealing with endometriosis and fertility is a huge challenge for many women and something I’m actively working through, but I have full confidence in the team I work with. It’s just going to take longer than I thought.” she said

“Therefore, the story of DANIMAL has not reached its conclusion. I’ll be back on tour in 2025.”

Collins’ social media post came just hours after a United Cup press release in Australia on Friday listed her as one of the American entries, along with Coco Gauff, for the mixed team tournament in Perth and Sydney from 27 December to 5 January. one of several tune-up tournaments ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, which starts on January 12.

Collins, who lost to Ash Barty in the 2022 Australian Open final for his best singles Grand Slam result, said at this year’s Melbourne Park tournament that he planned to retire after the 2024 season.

Among other matches this year, she retired with injury in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics in a heated match with Iga Swiatek, and lost in the first round of the US Open. Collins is currently ranked ninth on the WTA Tour in singles.

“While there are no guarantees in life, I hope to build on my 2024 momentum and keep playing until there is more certainty about my personal fertility journey.” she said “The only guarantee at the moment will be some more epic matches.”

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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis