American tennis star Danielle Collins, who is on the brink of retirement, faced a tough challenge during her opening match at the US Open.
Collins, who announced earlier this year that 2024 would be her final season, has experienced a remarkable resurgence, securing two WTA Tour titles and entering the US Open as the No. 11 seed. However, her aspirations for a triumphant send-off encountered turbulence against fellow American Caroline Dolehide.
Collins began the match with a commanding 6-1 first set win, but the second set proved far more difficult. After falling behind 2-0, she fought back but squandered key opportunities to take control.
When she missed an overhead shot that could have turned the match in her favor, Collins, usually composed, let her frustration show by smashing her racket on the court. Dolehide capitalized on the moment, winning the second set 7-5 and pushing the match into a decisive third set.
With her final US Open and her career on the line, Collins must now regain her composure to advance. Despite her efforts to treat this as just another match, the significance of the occasion is undeniable as she navigates the pressures of her final Grand Slam.
