American tennis player Danielle Collins recently revealed details about her first encounter with harassment while competing on the professional tour. Currently ranked No. 66 in the WTA singles rankings, Collins shared how she faced unwanted advances soon after a match early in her career. The incident involved a persistent cameraman who attempted to kiss her without consent shortly after she had finished a demanding three-set match. Collins began her tour journey after finishing her collegiate tennis career at the University of Virginia.
Career Highlights of Danielle Collins
Danielle Collins built a strong foundation in tennis during her time at the University of Virginia, where she won two NCAA Singles Championships. Turning professional in 2016, she made remarkable progress by reaching the Miami Open semifinals in 2018. The following year brought greater attention when she advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open, notably defeating world No. 2 Angelique Kerber. Collins has earned four WTA singles titles so far and achieved her best Grand Slam performance by reaching the finals of the 2022 Australian Open. Most recently, she competed at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, where she exited in the third round against Iga Swiatek.
Details on the Harassment Incident Shared by Collins
During an interview on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, Danielle Collins described the unsettling moment she encountered early in her career. She recalled:
“I had a situation when I first got on tour, and I was dealing with a cameraman that was very persistent. I lost a long three-set match, come off the court and kind of like, cramping, and I’m tired and all the things are happening, and this guy goes, ‘Oh Danielle, I’m so sorry, can I give you a hug?’ and I look at like my coach and I’m like sure.”
He goes in to hug me, and all of a sudden, he goes in to kiss me. And I’m like, oh no. He literally starts making out with the side of my face. So yeah, people don’t see that behind the scenes.”
This revelation highlights the difficulties female athletes may face behind the scenes that often go unnoticed by the public.
Commitment to Supporting Community Tennis Facilities
Beyond the tennis court, Danielle Collins advocates for the development of public sports amenities. She publicly supported the Light Up McCarren project in Brooklyn, which aims to install permanent lighting at the public tennis courts in McCarren Park. Collins emphasized the importance of community access to courts, especially during evenings, which can be a challenge in the northeastern regions. On Instagram, she wrote in support of the initiative:
“Court time is especially difficult in the northeastern sections and by having lights, it allows our community more time to do what we love.”
She also reflected on her own experience growing up in St. Petersburg, Florida, noting that without access to public tennis courts during her childhood, her career path might have been very different.
Implications of Collins’ Story and Advocacy
Danielle Collins’ openness about her harassment experience sheds light on the challenges faced by female athletes off the court. Her story underscores the need for greater awareness and safety measures within professional sports environments. Additionally, her active support for community tennis projects demonstrates her commitment to expanding access to the sport, potentially inspiring future generations. Moving forward, Collins’ candidness and advocacy may encourage more conversations around athlete well-being and the value of accessible sports facilities.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What condition does Danielle Collins have?
A. Collins has endometriosis, where cells like those lining the uterus grow in other body parts. Before she planned to retire, doctors explained that this condition could delay her getting pregnant longer than she expected.
Q. Does Danielle Collins face yoga work?
A. Face Yoga can help you appear three years younger in 20 weeks, according to a study by dermatologists at Northwestern University. Additionally, doctors used this technique on the BBC1 show “Twinstitute,” where it showed that Face Yoga could make skin look a year younger in just one month.
Q. What is Danielle Collins’s condition?
A. In 2019, Collins found out she had rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease causing painful joint swelling, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also mention that women are two to three times more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Q. Why is Danielle Collins not retiring?
A. As she planned to retire, doctors explained that her endometriosis might delay her pregnancy efforts. Because of this, she chose to return to tennis and announced she was not retiring in October.