SYDNEY: Danielle Collins will miss next month’s Australian Open after confirming that a lingering back injury has forced her to delay her return to competitive tennis. The American, who reached the Melbourne final in 2022, said the issue prematurely cut short her 2025 season and has kept her sidelined for several months.
Collins has not played since her first-round loss to Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian at the U.S. Open in August. Earlier that month, she revealed she was diagnosed with a herniated disk following a defeat to Taylor Townsend in the opening round of the Cincinnati Open.
In an Instagram post, Collins explained that she has been using the time away from the tour to focus on recovery and personal health decisions, including undergoing fertility treatments. She described the egg-freezing process as a positive experience, while also acknowledging the physical challenges that come with the hormonal treatment.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a memorable run at the Australian Open in 2022, defeating Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the semifinals before losing to home favorite Ash Barty in the final — a match that marked the end of Barty’s illustrious career.
