US OPEN

August 27, 2024

Danielle Collins

Press Conference

C. DOLEHIDE/D. Collins

1-6, 7-5, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: We will go to questions.

Q. So soon after the match, but what do you think went wrong out there for you today?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah, I mean, I think I had 12 days off, minimal preparation kind of going into it. I did my best. That's all I could do.

There were times that I had some good shots, and there were times that it didn't go my way, but I think overall Caroline played, you know, very well and was running down a lot of balls. So all credit to her.

Q. Starting the match as well as you did, do you feel stamina played an issue in the end?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah, you know, no one out here is immune to having bad days. You know, I've physically really been through it, you know, since the Olympics, so it's been a struggle.

Q. Was it at all challenging or in any way to sort of clear your head and sort of keep it as just a tennis match and not to sort of think of larger things like last times here and things like that? What has that process been like the last couple of weeks coming into your home slam?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah, I mean, I have honestly just had so many distractions away from the court, like, that's just, like, minimal right now.

You know, just going through life's challenges and coping with it, and yeah.

Q. It looked like there was someone out there trying to give you a bouquet of flowers maybe. They did something yesterday for Dominic Thiem and Schwartzman. Was there a discussion about doing that with you and you just weren't ready for that yet?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah, I'm still in the doubles, and I had requested not to have any presentation on the court. I'm not somebody that, like, likes to celebrate my accomplishments.

I've struggled with feeling guilt, you know, around success, and that's something I have had to work on. So I'm not great, honestly, at having, like, an all-about-me moment. I just, yeah, would prefer to do something like that maybe in private, you know. But I feel like I've gotten enough attention to last a lifetime.

I just, yeah, I mean, I was kind of thinking of that movie, I think it was "Meet the Parents" or "Meet the Fockers," where, you know, Gaylord has a shrine and all his 18th-place medals. I don't want to be like Gaylord, so I think I'm good. (Laughter.)

Q. Sorry to ask about the emotional side of it so soon after, I'm sure you haven't had time to process, but will you put that off until after doubles and say I'm focusing on how I feel, focusing on playing that match or some of that come to you at the end...

DANIELLE COLLINS: You mean in the singles match or going into the doubles?

Q. At the end of the singles match, did you think about how, wow...

DANIELLE COLLINS: I mean, I'm still playing the rest of the year, or at least that's the plan right now. You never know with life's challenges and, you know, health stuff.

We'll see. But yeah, I was kind of just bummed I couldn't play some of my best tennis. I was all over the place with my shots. I feel like my timing was a bit off, and stamina and this and that.

You know, it's to be expected. I went through a lot at Olympics with the heat stroke. I got really sick after. You know, I'm immunocompromised. I felt like that played a little bit of a role. I've just been really physically challenged the last couple of weeks even just with, you know, the time off, you know.

So, yeah, I feel like I still haven't physically, like, completely recovered. I mean, obviously I've got myself back to where I'm not having pain with the injury too.

But, you know, it's hard when you kind of have a lot of momentum going, and then you have a sudden stop and some things that come up health-wise. So it's been, yeah, challenging.

Q. What has it taken to get you on court to just get prepared to play a match and physically ready?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Well, you know, that's the thing, you can't overdo it when you come back from an injury. You have to be careful overtraining and undertraining and trying to find the right amount. I had to stop practice a few times this week because of the injury.

I was really, like, pleased that I didn't have pain today. That was a big step in the right direction. I got through a match last week, which was good, but I just kind of, yeah, I need to kind of build that strength back still.

You know, you think about it, like, during the match, too, when you do feel little things here and there, especially with abdominal injury. You're using your ab for everything (smiling). Yeah.

Q. Curious, Dominic Thiem was talking yesterday about how he was looking so forward to having a normal life, an ordinary life. I know you're still playing, but I wonder if that's your mentality, too, your psychology that you're looking forward to embracing your post-career?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah. I definitely am. Obviously I've talked a lot about wanting to have children and starting a family, and being excited about that, and just kind of stepping away from being in the spotlight.

You know, I like, you know, the idea of not traveling 40 weeks out of the year. I think that kind of sounds good at this point in my career with all the travel that I've done, even though I have enjoyed it a lot.

Yeah, I think a lot of us, we dedicate our whole lives to it, to the sport, to the travel, you give up a lot of life experiences, other life experiences for your career.

You know, it was a sacrifice I think that paid off, and I'm happy that I did it. But yeah, looking forward to other things that I'll get to be able to participate in, you know, that I haven't.

Q. As you said, you still have doubles. How do you think you kind of regroup for that at this point after kind of a tough day today? Then also, do you think you'll be able to enjoy that, having that kind of last experience here?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah. Caro is a good friend or has become a good friend of mine, and we've had a lot of fun on the practice courts. It was kind of a no-brainer to get together for, you know, the doubles and be able to play in my last slam with her.

We haven't played it before, but I feel like I'm in good hands. She's got some titles under her belt on the doubles side. Yeah, it will be really interesting.

Q. Danielle, how would you describe the journey you've been on from the time you decided to retire, including playing so well, that so many people said, maybe she shouldn't retire?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah. I mean, I think everybody has been so encouraging, and, you know, it's a compliment that people want to see me play more. You know, but at the same time, I'm just kind of ready for that next chapter.

You know, the journey has been great. Yeah, sorry, I'm a little bit out of gas (smiling). I got a little tired.