Danielle Collins faced a tough defeat in her first-round match at the U.S. Open against Caroline Dolehide, lasting two hours and 40 minutes. This marked the end of Collins' singles Grand Slam career as she lost 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Dolehide, a fellow American.
Earlier in the year, Collins had announced her retirement from the tour to focus on starting a family and reducing her time on the road. Despite this decision, she had a successful farewell campaign, achieving a career-high ranking of 7 in July 2022 and winning titles at prestigious events in Miami and Charleston.
However, Collins faced setbacks with a heat stroke in Paris and an abdominal injury during the Olympic Games, affecting her preparation for the U.S. Open. She expressed her struggles post-match, citing physical challenges since the Olympics.
Although Collins started strong by winning the first set, Dolehide staged a comeback, clinching the victory with a strong performance in the second and third sets. Collins acknowledged her disappointment in not being able to deliver her best game against her opponent.
Despite the singles defeat, Collins is set to compete in the women's doubles event at the U.S. Open alongside Caroline Garcia. She opted out of a court presentation, expressing discomfort with celebrating her accomplishments publicly.
Collins emphasized her preference for private recognition and humility, highlighting her aversion to excessive attention. She humorously referenced a movie scene to illustrate her perspective on success and recognition.
As Collins transitions to the next phase of her career, she remains focused on her remaining matches and maintaining a balanced approach to her achievements.
While the defeat marked the end of her singles journey at the majors, Collins continues to strive for success in the doubles event, showcasing her resilience and dedication to the sport.
