After losing a second-round thriller to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open, Danielle Collins announced that 2024 would be her final season on tour.
This declaration was followed by some incredible career peaks; Collins won her first WTA 1000 trophy at the Miami Open and immediately backed that up with another tournament title on clay in Charleston, returning to the brink of the top 10.
Several pillars have aligned for Collins. Technically and tactically she’s never played better. Her physical health appears to be in a great place. And she’s swinging freely, grateful for an opportunity to play at a high level on the biggest stages one last time.
The only place it has yet to completely come together for her this season is at the Grand Slams.
But that might be changing at this year’s Wimbledon championships.
Collins has defeated dangerous Dane Clara Tauson and qualifier Dalma Galfi, both in straight sets, to reach the third round at the All England Club for the first time since 2019. This equals her best result at SW19, and it’s the furthest she has progressed at a major since a third-round finish at AO 2023, 18 months ago.
Nine-time Wimbledon doubles champion Todd Woodbridge likened Collins’ recent surge to one of his last Grand Slam events with long-time partner Mark Woodforde, on their least-preferred surface.
"We were playing Roland Garros for the very last time in our partnership. We thought we were done; we didn't think we had a chance of winning it. And so what happens? You go in there free, relaxed,” Woodbridge explained on The AO Show podcast.
“And it would seem that she's made this decision that the career is going to be coming to an end soon, and she's playing with no hang-ups, no sandbags on the shoulders. Just the freedom of her natural ability.
“Obviously no injuries, her health is good, and she is one the cleanest ball-strikers. And so all of a sudden, bingo. She's got this run.”
Another Wimbledon legend, Martina Navratilova, believes grass is a surface on which the American should thrive.
“Is grass your friend, yet?” the nine-time singles champion asked Collins during a Tennis Channel interview, before adding: “Could be. Should be. You’ve got the game for it.”
Humbled to receive such praise from an icon of the sport, Collins thanked Navratilova.
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“I haven’t played a lot on grass. A lot of times with our schedule, it just hasn’t matched up,” said Collins, who entered Wimbledon without playing a competitive match since Roland Garros.
“I would have liked to maybe play more tournaments on the grass this year, but… it’s not always safe, if you’re a little bit unsure about the movement, and getting your feet on the ground, and you literally go from playing weeks and months on clay, and then switching to grass and not having any time to practice and try things out.
“So it was really nice being able to be at home and have that time to kind of experiment with a few things with my movement.”
Collins has been open about her need, as an introvert, to recharge her batteries outside of the relentless tour schedule, which has played into her decision to end her professional career this season.
She instead prepared for Wimbledon with a few weeks of playing and practising on grass “away from competition”, which she enjoyed. This allowed her time to focus specifically on grass-court movement and footwork patterns, plus trial some new things on serve.
She’s working with former ATP pro Ryan Harrison, who is with her in London, and she practised with countrywoman Jessica Pegula – the recent Berlin champion on grass – in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
She also received some free on-air tips from Navratilova, who advised her to stay lower and imagine she was playing barefoot, which would instinctively make her take protective, smaller steps.
All of it seems to be helping Collins, who will next face Brazilian star Beatriz Haddad Maia for a place in the fourth round – the only Slam at which she is yet to reach this stage.
“I’m hoping that I can have a good run here. This hasn’t been a place where I’ve had my most success, but it’s one of my most favourite events to come to,” Collins said.
“I remember the first time I came here. I lost first round of qualifying, and when I got to do the tour on grounds, I literally had tears in my eyes, and I said: ‘I am never coming back here unless I make main draw, because I want to play on the courts here’.
“I’ve been so fortunate to have since been able to play main draw every year and compete here, and it’s been such a blessing.
“So I’m hoping I can do some good stuff out here (in 2024).”