Danielle Collins has ousted the final remaining home player in the Australian Open women’s singles draw after beating Destanee Aiava.
Collins is a former Australian Open finalist, but came into the first major of 2025 in poor form after losing her last six matches.
The American was not even expected to still be playing this year, but Collins made a U-turn on her retirement after revealing that her fertility journey would take longer than originally planned.
Despite being no stranger to controversy, Coco Gauff has praised Collins’ personality after spending time together at the United Cup.
The fiery side to Collins arose after beating Aiava to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
Danielle Collins reveals reason for taking medical timeout against Destanee Aiava
Collins won the first set against Aiava, but appeared to be struggling physically in the second set. After going a double break down, Collins took a lengthy medical timeout on her right foot.
This was not received well by the crowd on Kia Arena, but Collins has received praise for her response after winning the match in three sets.
When questioned about the timeout in her post-match press conference, Collins hit back at those who were questioning the legitimacy of her injury.
“Of course, they’re going to say that,” said Collins. “It was very obvious I was struggling with getting my legs on my serve. I was missing a lot of serves. I was having to compensate quite a bit because every time I put my foot in flexion, I was kind of doing this weird thing with my back leg. I was missing a lot of serves because of it, honestly. I was also having a hard time kind of pushing out of the corners.
“It kind of got to the point that I needed to have some aid with it, get some anti inflammatories. It flared up during Adelaide. Haven’t had any pain with it since. All of a sudden I think just from all the pounding, especially on takeoff and trying to put it in flexion, everything you do when you’re walking, you’re putting your foot in flexion. I needed to have some assistance on it. It just was progressively kind of getting worse. I just really needed it.
“Yeah, I try to only use them the medical timeouts when I am in pain. I don’t need to play head games with the level that I play at. Yeah, I felt like it did help me in the end because I did start serving quite a bit better after that.
“I feel like I kind of adjusted and started going back to what I do with my feet on my serve a little bit better and got some momentum on the serve. I was pushing out of the corners and running down a few more balls there in the end, so it was helpful. So yeah, part of the game.”
Collins is not the only player to have received criticism for taking a medical timeout, with Iga Swiatek receiving backlash at the United Cup for the timing of hers against Katie Boulter.
What is the specific injury on Danielle Collins’ foot?
After explaining why she requested medical assistance, Collins received further questions about her foot injury and explained what has actually caused the discomfort.
“Yeah, it’s like underneath my big toe on the circle. I don’t know what that muscle is called,” continued Collins. “It’s like when you’re in flexion. I don’t know. I’d have to show you. I don’t think anyone wants to see my feet right now.”
This is not the only injury that the world number 11 has struggled with in recent months, with Collins suffering an abdominal injury at the Paris Olympics last year.
Collins will now look ahead to her third round match at the Australian Open, where she will play compatriot and Adelaide champion Madison Keys.
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