Danielle Collins will not be playing at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year at the Australian Open.
Collins made a U-turn on retiring from tennis at the end of last year after originally planning to end her career in 2024.
However, the 2025 season has not gone to plan for Collins, who has fallen outside the top 60 in the world.
After Collins did not appear on the Australian Open entry list, concerns were raised about her future, but she has now provided an update on her current situation.
Danielle Collins explains her reason for not playing the Australian Open
Collins is a former Australian Open finalist and has been ranked as high as world number seven.
However, for lengthy periods of the 2025 season, Collins has been hampered by injury, with a back issue particularly troubling her.
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
When taking to social media, Collins explained that both the back injury and fertility procedures have played a part in her postponing her start to the season.
Collins then revealed that she would not be competing for the ‘first part’ of the season, but would still be conducting media opportunities on the Tennis Channel.
“Wanted to come on here and give everyone a little update since everyone has been asking!” Collins wrote on Instagram. “I’ve been taking the last few months off to recover from the back injury I had at the end of the season.
“I’ve also been undergoing a few egg freezing procedures. It’s been one of the coolest things I’ve honestly ever done! But at the same time these hormones I have had to be on are a real b****. I am so fortunate for the friends that have been helping take care of me during this time. I have one more procedure to go.
“With all of this, I will not be competing during the first part of the year. But you will be seeing me in a different capacity with @tennischannel. This is all I will be sharing for now. More updates to come.”
Which American man and woman do you think will go furthest at the Australian Open?
What will happen to Danielle Collins’ ranking during her absence from the WTA Tour?
While Collins has spoken about missing the first part of the 2026 season, it is unclear as to how long that will actually be.
However, Collins will at least miss the Australian swing, where she is defending a total of 131 ranking points.
If the 32-year-old is unable to return before the French Open, Collins will lose 809 ranking points she earned in 2025 and would drop outside the top 300 for the first time since 2016.
| Tournament Danielle Collins played | Ranking points Danielle Collins is dropping in 2026 |
| Adelaide International | 1 |
| Australian Open | 130 |
| Indian Wells | 65 |
| Miami Open | 120 |
| Charleston Open | 108 |
| Italian Open | 120 |
| Internationaux de Strasbourg | 195 |
| French Open | 70 |
While this is far from ideal for Collins, she would have the reassurance of a protected ranking which would still enable her to get into Grand Slam tournaments.
For the time being, Collins will be one of the only top 100 players who is not competing at the Australian Open next year, alongside Ons Jabeur, who is currently pregnant with her first child.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
