Danielle Collins drops bombshell at Australian Open press conference

The American tennis star who was runner-up to Ash Barty in the 2022 Australian Open has left reporters in shock.

American tennis star Danielle Collins has revealed she is retiring at some point this season after being knocked out of the Australian Open despite taking World No. 1 Iga Swiatek to three sets.

The 30-year-old started speaking about the end of her career at a post-match press conference on Thursday after she was knocked out of the Australian Open, shocking reporters.

Aussies may best remember Collins as the opponent Ash Barty defeated in 2022 to become the first Aussie woman to be crowned Australian Open champion in 44 years.

Barty retired herself just two months after that match.

On Thursday, Swiatek beat Collins 6-4 3-6 6-4 in the second round of the tournament.

Speaking about the loss, Collins told reporters: “At this point, you know, I’m kind of at the end of my career and they don’t sting quite as much, to be honest.

“I feel like I have kind of gotten to the point where obviously they matter and, you know, my career means a lot to me, but the end of the day, you know, you either win or you lose, and that’s all there is to it.”

Danielle Collins lost to Iga Swiatek in round two of the 2024 Australian Open and then revealed she was retiring this season. Picture: Anthony WALLACE / AFP

The surprising mention of her career coming to end had reporters urging Collins to explain.

“This is going to be my last season, actually, competing,” she confirmed.

“I don’t really know exactly when, but this will be my last season and I’m really looking forward to that.”

Collins, who reached a career-high world ranking of No. 7 in 2022 and is currently ranked No. 62, said she felt she had had a good career and wanted to accomplish other things in her life, including having children.

“I feel like I’ve had a pretty good career. There has certainly been ups and downs to it, and I think the travel and some of the things away from the court with scheduling and all of that, this is a really tough sport,” she said.

“I have other things that I’d kind of like to accomplish in my life outside of tennis, and would like to be able to to have the time to be able to do that. Obviously having kids is a big priority for me, so …”

Australian Ash Barty defeated Danielle Collins in the 2022 Australian Open final. Picture: David Caird

Barty welcomed her first child last year just over a year after announcing her retirement.

On Wednesday, she confirmed she has no plans to make a comeback.

“There’s nothing keeping me away. It’s not like I’m doing things to keep myself away from the court,” Barty said.

“I want to be there to raise Hayden and I want to be able to enjoy that.

“That’s what I want to do, plain and simple. That’s where my priorities lie now.

“I absolutely love being a mum. There’s nothing else that I prefer to do.”

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka, who won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, played her first Grand Slam on Monday at Melbourne Park since becoming a mum.

She lost the first round match against 16th seed Caroline Garcia 6-4, 7-6.