Danielle Collins dismisses retirement question and calls for respect

Ewan West
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Danielle Collins of the US leaves the court after beating Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-3 at the Italian Open tennis tournament at Rome's Foro Italico, Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Danielle Collins gestures to the Italian Open crowd

Danielle Collins shot down a question suggesting her blistering form is down to her being able to “play freely” because of her retirement announcement.

The American asserted that the success she is having is a product of the work she has put in throughout her career and expressed her hope that “people can respect that”.

Collins downed Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Italian Open on Wednesday to continue her outstanding recent surge.

The world No 15 has won 19 of her last 20 matches in a run that has included matches on hard courts, green clay and red clay. She is currently 12th in the WTA Live Rankings and fourth in the Race to the 2024 WTA Finals.

READ MORE: Danielle Collins one win away from remarkable rankings breakthrough at Italian Open

The 30-year-old won the biggest title of her career at the Miami Open in March, before backing it up with a triumph at the Charleston Open at the start of April.

Collins then reached the last 16 of the Madrid Open at the end of last month, where her 15-match winning streak was ended by world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka.

The former world No 7 has continued her fine form at the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome and did not drop a set in her four matches en route to the last four, where she will face Sabalenka again today. Collins holds an 0-5 record against the two-time Grand Slam champion.

Collins announced in January that she would retire at the end of the 2024 season and has expressed her desire to start a family and return to a “normal life.”

In an on-court interview after her Italian Open victory over Azarenka, Collins was asked if she was playing more freely because of her upcoming retirement.

“I don’t really know what that means, to play freely,” Collins said. “I’ve put so much work into this over the years. My success if a product of that and I hope people can respect that.”

During the Abu Dhabi Open in February, Collins opened up on deciding that this would be the final year of her career.

“Earlier this year around the holidays I decided this would be my last season,” she explained. “I’m feeling really happy about it and looking forward to it.

“I haven’t been on tour that long, compared to some of the other players. Because I did go the college route, so I didn’t really start on tour until I was 22.

“In some ways it seems like it was just yesterday when I started playing and in other ways it seems like I’ve been out here for an eternity.

“I certainly love my job and it’s been a rollercoaster of fun emotion. And there are also times that aren’t as fun. But just like with anything, you have that.

“At this point I feel like I’m ready for the next chapter, and I’m really excited about it. I needed to have an end date and it gives my family and friends the ability to come support me in some final tournaments. I think that will be really special.”

READ MORE: Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement

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