“Hope everyone can respect that”: Danielle Collins stays firm on retirement plans despite Miami Open win, opens up on ’emotional and personal’ reasons

Despite her remarkable triumph at the Miami Open, Danielle Collins remains determined to retire in 2024 and has no intention of reconsidering her plans.

In an impressive display, Collins claimed her first WTA 1000 title by defeating last year’s runner-up Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 in a two-hour and two-minute final. This victory on her home turf made her the first American woman to win the tournament since Sloane Stephens in 2018.

Despite announcing her retirement after her exit from the Australian Open in January, the 30-year-old still achieved a significant milestone victory in her final year as a professional tennis player. She had made the decision to retire in order to focus on starting a family, further adding to the importance of her recent triumph.

Despite her successful season, Collins continues to face constant questioning about her retirement plans. She has expressed frustration with the persistent inquiries and asserts that she would not have to constantly justify her decision if she were a male.

She also emphasized her personal battle with a chronic inflammatory disease, which affected her fertility.

“I feel like I have had to justify my decision a lot. I feel like if I was a guy, I probably wouldn’t have to justify it that much,”she said in a recent press conference.

“I’m living with a chronic inflammatory disease that affects your ability to get pregnant, and so that’s, like, a deeply, like, personal situation. I’ve kind of explained that from time to time,”she added.

Danielle Collins reiterated that she had no plans to alter her retirement plans, despite her victory at the Miami Open. However, she acknowledged the good intentions behind those who asked about it.

“No, I’m not (smiling). Thank you, though. I feel like all of these questions are coming from such a good place, because I feel like a lot of people would like to continue seeing me play well,”Danielle Collins said in her post-match press conference.

Collins also shared her struggles with health issues and expressed her desire for others to understand her decision to end her professional career for personal and emotional reasons.

“But like I said, I have some health challenges, and with those health challenges, it makes things for me away from the court a little more difficult. I hope everyone can respect that. It’s a very emotional and personal thing. Yeah,”she added.

Danielle Collins Reflects on Her Journey to Victory at the Miami Open

During the press conference, Danielle Collins shared her joy about consistently performing well throughout the Miami Open. She also discussed the unique experience of reaching her first WTA 1000 final at 30 years old, highlighting how her journey differed from the typical path to success.

“Yeah, I mean, what a dream come true to have played at the level that I have played consistently over the last two weeks,”Danielle Collins said.

“This has been such a journey for me. 30 years old, you know, this was the finals of my first 1000, and it’s been a different journey than I think a lot of the stories that we’re familiar with,”she added.

The American player also conveyed her appreciation for the immense support from the home fans, equating the unforgettable experience to performing in front of a group of her closest friends.

“Yeah, it’s just been amazing to go out today and to have felt the energy that I felt from the fans and literally feel like I’m playing in front of thousands of my best friends, that was just surreal. I will never forget this day because of that,”Danielle Collins said.