AusOpen semi-finalist Collins – Hardly anyone likes her on the tour, but she doesn’t care – sports


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Danielle Collins is considered the “black sheep” on the WTA Tour. She doesn’t mind. She continues her own struggle.

Legend:

Doesn’t hold back her emotions on the pitch

DanielleCollins.

Reuters

Ashleigh Barty (WTA 1), Iga Swiatek (WTA 9), Danielle Collins (WTA 30) and Madison Keys (WTA 51): The semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament are not new territory for any of them. For one in particular, the advance into the round of 4 should feel like a tennis fairy tale.

Collins suffered from endometriosis

Almost exactly a year ago, Collins staggered towards the end of a WTA 250 event in Melbourne in the semifinals. The American fell to the ground several times in pain, complaining of discomfort in the abdominal and pelvic muscles. In the deciding set, she could only serve from below. Unsurprisingly, the game was lost. Much worse for Collins, however, was that the causes of the acute pain were still unknown weeks later.

The doctors said the symptoms were due to her menstrual cycle. However, anti-inflammatory drugs brought no improvement, on the contrary. Finally, in April 2021, Collins made the decision to undergo surgery to treat endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue forms outside the uterine cavity.

Often struggled with health problems

Legend:

Often struggled with health problems

In addition to endometriosis, Collins also suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.

Reuters

The operation turned out to be a stroke of luck. Collins was able to increase her training intensity significantly after her recovery. This was also reflected in the following results. The 28-year-old has become much more consistent, losing only 6 games since mid-July last year and celebrating 28 wins in this period. The last on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open against Alizé Cornet.

Lots of perseverance, little popularity

A few years earlier, Collins had already proved that she had impressive standing qualities. Endometriosis isn’t the only condition that has made it difficult for her to join the extended world tennis elite. In 2018, the Florida right-hander was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The inflammatory joint disease, which often occurs in episodes, forced Collins to take breaks again and again.

But “Danimal”, as Collins is now called by her fans, fought back even then. In the spring of 2019, as surprisingly as in 2022, she advanced to the Melbourne semi-finals.

On tour, Collins is considered a loner who hasn’t made many friends over the years. Her often exuberant behavior on the pitch is not very well received by her professional colleagues. The more important the point, the louder the moans, the cheers, and sometimes the provocation.

Can you pull off the coup against Swiatek?

It’s not uncommon for Collins to feel like she’s playing against the world when she plays. Maybe she sees it that way too. In a way it would even be understandable, since she always had to clear obstacles from her path in order to live her dream as a tennis pro.

On Thursday she could reach another peak in her battle against the world and her body. With a win in the semi-finals of the Australian Open against 20-year-old Swiatek, who has been on the up for almost every two years.

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