U-S-A, U-S-A, USAAAA! Team USA was recently crowned champions at the United Cup just weeks ago. And a key player in their triumph? Yes, it was none other than Danielle Collins, aka ‘Danimal,’ whose off-court performance stole the show despite her illness. And now, her efforts are earning well-deserved praise from fellow American and tennis sensation Taylor Fritz, proving that Collins isn’t just a team player, she’s a game-changer as well.
From starting the season ranked 71 to reaching the top 15 at the end of April 2024, the 31-year-old was at her peak last year. And trophies? Well, ‘Danimal’ won two major tournaments in 2024, the Miami Open and the Credit One Charleston Open. However, suddenly from nowhere, the tennis star planned for a retirement at the end of 2024 aimed at two ongoing health issues, rheumatoid arthritis as well as endometriosis, with her intention to start a family. However, the “story has not reached its conclusion,” wrote Collins.
In October, she posted on Instagram that “things have not gone as planned,” as she faced fertility issues and opted for another year in 2025. The American found herself as a team member in the 2025 United Cup with Team USA, and ultimately, the nation emerged victorious. But one thing to note here is that she didn’t play. And recently, her guts have been praised perfectly by one of her United Cup teammates, Taylor Fritz.
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After Fritz’s second-round match with Cristian Garin, the American was asked about ‘Danimal’s contribution towards the Team in United Cup success despite being sick. To which the 27-year-old replied, “I mean, she was a great teammate. On the bench, she was cheering super loud for all of us, but we didn’t see a lot of her because she, after a couple of days after she got there, she got really sick, actually. So, I mean, we told her like, ‘You probably…we don’t wanna get sick and like, we also don’t want you to like, force yourself to be around us because it’s a team event cuz like she didn’t feel good.”
via Reuters Paris 2024 Olympics – Tennis – Women’s Singles Third Round – Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France – July 30, 2024. Danielle Collins of United States reacts during her match against Camila Osorio of Colombia. REUTERS/Claudia Greco
“But no, I mean when she did feel better at the end of the week, like she was a great teammate on the bench, like just cheering for everyone and having, you know, being very positive well before that. I mean, obviously, we all know of each other just being around, but yeah, I mean, I previously, just from knowing her, I’d never actually had any, you know. I never had any bad things to say about Danielle. I’ve always had a positive experience, I guess,” Taylor further added.
Taylor, the US Open and Nitto ATP Finals runner-up, won the two-round matches at the latest Australian Open. After a convincing first-round win against fellow American Jenson Brooksby, the 4th seed American announced donating his first-round prize money of around $82,000 to help people affected by the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area.
So what next in the draw? Well, Taylor is up for a familiar name in the tennis world, Gael Monfils, at the third-round match on January 18. And Collins? Well, Danimal, who also participated in the AO, reached the third round today but sparked a controversy following her win. Again!
‘Big fat paycheck,’ Danimal ended the run of Australian Qualifier while thanking the crowd
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Dealing with boos and blowing back kisses! A controversial way to sign up for the third round of this year’s Australian Open for the current No. 10 seed Danielle Collins as she beat Aussie qualifier Destanee Aiava in the Kia Arena. However, sealing the victory was more of a survival for the Americans as the match was not easy at all!
After winning the United Cup with Team USA, American Danielle Collins participated in this year’s AO. And what about her start? Well, she had a tough battle with Daria Snigur in the first set, ending with 7-6 (4), 6-3, which booked her against Australia’s own Aiava in the second round. And what a match it is! Despite pocketing the first set 7-6, the American felt short to cope with the Aussie, as Aiava took the second set 4-6. However, the 31-year-old American showed her charisma in the third, clinching a convincing 6-2 set and match. However, the main angle comes after the match, which raised controversies!
Following her match point and end of the run of the Aussie, who was standing last in this year’s women’s singles, ‘Danimal’ raised her hand to her ear in response to the boos from the Kia crowd. She even began to blow kisses. And at the post-match interview, the American had her remarks.
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“You know, I was thinking during the match, hmm, if I’m out here, I may as well take that big fat paycheck. CoCo [Vandeweghe] and I, we, love a good five-star vacation, so part of that paycheck is going towards that. So, thank you, guys! Thank you, guys, love ya,” she added.
With that win, the 10th seed booked a mouthwatering match with Madison Keys in Saturday’s third-round clash. Can she ease past her fellow American? Stay with us as we will bring the latest of AO right here!