Danielle Collins explains why she didnt want a farewell ceremony after playing her last US Open s

Danielle Collins played her final Grand Slam match at the US Open on Tuesday (August 27), bowing out after a disappointing defeat to Caroline Dolehide in the first round. As usual, the tournament had prepared a farewell ceremony for the 30-year-old. However, she was quick to leave the court and avoid taking part in anything that was planned.

At the start of the year, Collins announced that 2024 would be her final season on the tour. She stated that she wanted to start a family and could not spend 40 weeks on the road each year playing professional tennis.

Unexpectedly, she found rhythm in her game at the Miami Open beating Elena Rybakina to claim her first Masters 1000 title. She then went on a 15-match winning streak that saw her win the Charleston title and hit a career-high of World No. 7 in the WTA rankings.

However, the American suffered an abdominal injury during her quarterfinal match against Iga Swiatek at the Paris Olympics. The 30-year-old made her return at the Monterrey Open last week but exited in the second round.

Arriving in New York, the US Open officials knew it was Collins’ last Grand Slam event and the organizers planned to celebrate her career with a farewell ceremony. However, the 30-year-old bypassed the bouquet of congratulatory flowers offered by tournament director Stacey Allaster after her defeat to Dolehide. She later revealed that she didn’t want a farewell ceremony or flowers.

I’m not somebody that likes to celebrate my accomplishments. I’ve struggled with feeling guilt around success. I’m not great about having an all about me moment. I’d prefer to do something like that maybe in private. I feel like I’ve gotten enough attention to last a lifetime. I was thinking of that movie Meet the Parents or Meet the Fockers where Gaylord has his shrine and all his 18th place medals. I don’t wanna be like Gaylord so I think I’m good. 

There was surely a ceremony ready for Danielle Collins but she was so fast leaving the court that Stacey Allaster couldn't even give her the flowers 👀 pic.twitter.com/m7h3LljwSy

On the other hand, Dolehide was excited about her victory against Collins. It was the doubles specialist’s third Top 20 career singles victory. She will play Italy’s Sara Errani in the second round.

Danielle Collins admits to a change of retirement decision after playing her final Grand Slam match

Danielle Collins sent a cryptic message about her retirement after losing 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the US Open. It was the 30-year-old’s second match since returning from an abdominal injury and she showed signs of rust during the match.

Though Collins controlled the second set to force the match into a decider, she was not able to maintain the tempo. Later, she stated that despite it being her last Grand Slam of her career, she hinted at a possible change to her retirement decision.

I'm still playing the rest of the year, or at least that's the plan right now. You never know with life's challenges and health stuff. We'll see. But yeah, I was kind of just bummed I couldn't play some of my best tennis. I was all over the place with my shots. I feel like my timing was a bit off, and stamina and this and that. 

The American will hope to finish the season in the Top 10 despite her recent poor run.

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