Danielle Collins announced on Instagram her absence from the Australian Open 2026 roster. She stated, "I wanted to update everyone as I've received many questions. I'm taking time to recover from a back injury and also undergoing some egg-freezing procedures."

The American player described the process as unique yet challenging. She acknowledged the discomfort from hormone use during treatment but expressed gratitude for her friends' support. Collins mentioned she has one more procedure remaining.

Due to health reasons, Collins will not return to competition in the early season. However, fans can still expect to see her in a different capacity. "I will not be competing in the first part of the year, but you will see me commentating on Tennis Channel," she added.

Danielle Collins blows a kiss after winning against Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open 2025. *Photo: AP*

The Australian Open 2026, the opening Grand Slam of the tennis season, is scheduled from 12/1 to 1/2 in Melbourne. This tournament attracts top players globally in both men's and women's singles. Its characteristic hard courts often lead to upsets in the early rounds. The Australian Open also serves as a crucial gauge of players' form after the winter break and preseason preparation.

Last season, Collins was eliminated in the third round by fellow American Madison Keys, who later won the title. During that tournament, Collins gained attention for her lively interactions with the audience. She previously shared that the electric atmosphere from the stands provided her with significant motivation, helping her stay focused and play more determinedly. "I love that. The energy from the audience always pushes me forward," Collins said.

Born in 1993, Collins achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 7 in singles and No. 79 in doubles on the WTA rankings. She has won four WTA singles titles, notably the 2024 WTA 1000 Miami Open championship, and one doubles title. Her best Grand Slam performance was reaching the Australian Open 2022 women's singles final.

Before turning professional, Collins made a significant impact in the American collegiate tennis system while representing the University of Virginia. She won two NCAA women's singles championships in 2014 and 2016, concluding her college career as the national No. 1 player. Collins first gained attention on the WTA Tour in 2018 by reaching the Miami Open semifinals, before her strong breakthrough at the Australian Open 2019, where she reached the semifinals and upset second seed Angelique Kerber.

Collins' first WTA title came at the Palermo Ladies Open 2021. Subsequently, she maintained her position among the world's top players, peaking in the 2024 season with her Miami Open victory, despite having previously announced it would be her final season.

Egg freezing is a fertility preservation method increasingly chosen by female athletes and women in high-intensity environments. This process involves stimulating the ovaries with hormones over a period, then collecting and cryopreserving eggs for future use. For professional tennis players, egg freezing is considered a solution that helps them proactively balance their elite sports careers with personal life plans.

However, this procedure often entails considerable impacts on physical condition, such as fatigue, hormonal changes, and a need for recovery time, often forcing athletes to temporarily halt competition. Collins' decision to publicly share her personal experience is seen as contributing to increased awareness of female athletes' reproductive health, a topic previously rarely discussed in professional sports.

Hong Duy (according to Express)