NEW YORK — This isn’t how it was supposed to be.
Danielle Collins lost in the first round of her final Grand Slam tournament before retiring from tennis, in an upset defeat to compatriot Caroline Dolehide, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.
As Collins left the court, tournament director Stacey Allaster attempted to present the American with flowers, in the pre-planned send-off that has become such a feature of tennis this year. Collins gave them short shrift.
After dominating the first set, the world No. 11 faced a resilient Dolehide, who was coming off a run of losing to either Collins or Coco Gauff at every Grand Slam this year, but that baggage didn’t seem to affect her as she edged a tight second set.
Having levelled the match, the key moment came at 4-3* on Collins’s serve. Dolehide moved up to reach a drop shot, and swept the ball into the middle of the court — and into Collins. Both players shook it off immediately, but Collins promptly missed wide on a routine ball to give Dolehide the chance to serve for it at 5-3. Collins broke back, thumping a forehand into the deuce court.
Dolehide, however, was not to be denied, with another loose error on match point ending Collins’s Grand Slam career.
GO DEEPER
Danielle Collins is on fire. She’s quitting tennis at the end of the year anyway.
Collins has had to battle with doubters and naysayers in the wake of announcing her intention to retire. In an era of longevity — sometimes taken to foolish extents — retiring inside the top 20 at just 30 years old is superficially surprising. Collins sees it differently. She was forced to spend years too long convincing doctors of her endometriosis, as well as dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. She likes being at home. She wants a family. She wants an identity outside of tennis.
All that doesn’t mean that she saw her Grand Slam career ending this way.
Dolehide, world No. 46, will face Cristina Bucsa or Sara Errani in the second round.
This story will be updated.
(Photo of Danielle Collins: Timothy A. Clary / Getty Images)
