In Rome, Danielle Collins plots life after tennis: motherhood, marathons, and a mission

ROME, Italy—Danielle Collins is doing her last trip to the Internazionali BNL d’Italia her way, down to the dessert.

“They don’t have much that’s dairy-free here in Rome,” observed the American, whose well-documented health struggles and desire to start a family have fueled her desire to play one last season on tour before hanging up her racquets for good.

Collins, who prefers a mix of chocolate and mint gelato, initially made the announcement unexpectedly after a second-round loss to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open. She has held firm on the decision in spite of a dominant stretch that took her through a 15-match win streak and saw her capture back-to-back titles on the hard courts at the Miami Open and on clay at the Credit One Charleston Open.

“I think society and even the people who follow my life closely have had a difficult time accepting the fact that I’m retiring, and it’s really bizarre!” she joked in one of her first interviews since that streak ended last week in three sets to Aryna Sabalenka at the Mutua Madrid Open. “I’m going to be 31 at the end of the year, and that’s around the time when people make that milestone! It’s like, give me a break! Let me retire and have a family in peace!”

On the strength of her wildly successful spring, the world No. 15 is ranked fourth in the Race to the WTA Finals, a confirmation of the potential she has displayed through runs to numerous Grand Slam second weeks—including a runner-up finish at the 2022 Australian Open—and a testament to the heights she has taken her game.

It’s like some people don’t want to acknowledge that I’ve made really great improvements...It’s almost like you don’t get credit for that when people are suggesting you don’t care right now. The counterargument is that I could be going into these tournaments knowing it’s my last chance and my last tournament, and feeling that anxiety and pressure. Danielle Collins

“It’s like some people don’t want to acknowledge that I’ve made really great improvements with my serving, my returning, getting more consistent off the ground, coming in a little more,” she said, brushing off the suggestion that she’s benefitting from the adrenaline that accompanies a proverbial “last lap.” “It’s almost like you don’t get credit for that when people are suggesting you don’t care right now.

“The counterargument is that I could be going into these tournaments knowing it’s my last chance and my last tournament, and feeling that anxiety and pressure.”

The only lap Collins is running is on the track, where she has lightly begun training for a marathon sometime next year.

“I’ve always enjoyed running,” she said. “I haven’t gotten to do as much of it because my training doesn’t typically include a lot of long-distance running. But I’m training for a marathon at the end of the year. I’m not sure which marathon, but hopefully in November-December, when I finish up the season, I’ll have a couple months just to focus on running.”

Marking the end of one athletic endeavor by diving into another is on brand for Collins, who has, even during her career, refused to put tennis ahead of personal fulfillment.

“The people who are supporting us, the fans, they see me solely as a tennis player and not as a person. But the way I’ve evolved with my personality, I’m pretty laid back, and I don’t feel like I’m defined by my results or success.”

In her next chapter, Collins would prefer to be defined as a good friend, one who is unencumbered by a relentless travel schedule and able to celebrate milestones in person; as a mother, one who nurtures her future child’s creativity through a holistic education; and as an advocate, one who can support those on their own health journeys with the backing of a forthcoming women's health foundation.

“There are so many places around the world where people are facing women’s health issues, and a lot of them don’t have the means to support themselves financially through those challenges. I’d like to try and help, to bring financial support to those who have faced similar challenges to me, and be there for women who are struggling.

We haven’t decided on a name yet—you can include that in the article!” she adds with a laugh. “But we’re going to launch the foundation sometime this summer and it’s going to be based around women’s health and equity.”

There is a part of Collins that is perhaps too cerebral for the tunnel vision required for the tennis world, a world that can’t comprehend why a player would retire at the peak of her powers. But Rome’s lucky No. 13 seed, a self-proclaimed “science geek” who soundtracks her marathon training with health and wellness podcasts, is eager to stay curious as she runs toward the next phase of a thoroughly-examined life—entirely on her terms.