American tennis player Danielle Collins has exposed a troubling incident involving harassment by a cameraman during her professional career. Speaking candidly on the ‘Reign with Josh Smith’ podcast, Collins detailed how a cameraman once tried to kiss her against her will after a match, shedding light on the unseen challenges women face on the tennis tour.

Collins, known for voicing concerns about mistreatment of female players and her own past experiences with stalking, revealed that the incident pushed her to a “boiling point.” The former top-10 player explained that many inappropriate behaviors by men around the tennis circuit remain hidden from public view, especially the intrusive and unsettling actions occurring off-camera.

Behind the Scenes: The Incident Unfolded After a Tough Match

Recalling the event that took place several years ago early in her career, Collins described the cameraman‘s persistence as she was physically and emotionally drained following a grueling three-set loss.

“I had a situation a bunch of years ago when I first got on tour and I was dealing with a cameraman that was very persistent,”

Danielle Collins stated.

In a vulnerable moment, Collins was approached by the cameraman, who asked for a hug under the pretense of sympathy.

“I lost a long three set match, come off the court, and you know I’m kind of like cramping and I’m tired and all the things are happening,”

she recounted.

“This guy goes, ‘Oh, Danielle, you know, I’m so sorry. Can I can I give you a hug?’ And I look at my coach. I’m like, ‘Uh, sure,’” Collins added. “So I’m like standing like this and he goes in to hug me and then all of a sudden he goes in to kiss me and I’m like, ‘Oh no.’ Like he literally starts making out with the side of my face.”

The Hidden Harassment Female Players Endure on Tour

Collins emphasized that incidents like hers often go unnoticed by the public, despite being frequent and distressing. She highlighted that while spectators see the matches, they are unaware of constant inappropriate comments and the presence of men who stalk or follow players to their hotels or events.

“And he literally starts making out with a side of my face. So, yeah, people don’t see that like behind the scenes,”

Collins shared.

“They don’t hear the comments that sometimes people make towards you, they don’t see the weird men that show up to our events and stalk us and follow us to our hotels. And so, yeah, sometimes you get to a boiling point.”

Confrontations on Tour Mark Collins’ Career

Throughout her time on the WTA circuit, Danielle Collins has been outspoken and combative against misconduct. Earlier this year at a tournament in Strasbourg, she confronted a camera operator whose behavior she described as “wildly inappropriate.” These repeated clashes have contributed to her tough reputation, often casting her as a “villain” in the tennis community. Yet Collins continues to stand firm against harassment.

Upcoming Match at the Mubadala Citi DC Open

Looking ahead, Danielle Collins is scheduled to face Magda Linette in the first round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open this week. This will be the second career meeting between the two players. Though Collins is favored to win, the match presents the usual uncertainties of competitive tennis.

The ongoing visibility of Collins both on court and in speaking out about off-court challenges is expected to keep drawing attention to the issues female athletes face, sparking conversations around harassment in sports environments.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. What condition does Danielle Collins have?

A. Danielle Collins discusses her health struggles and potential retirement. The 30-year-old tennis player shares how rheumatoid arthritis and endometriosis have affected her tennis career and her future plans.

Q. What is Danielle Collins’s condition?

A. In 2019, Collins learned she had rheumatoid arthritis. This autoimmune disease causes painful joint swelling and can also impact other body parts. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are two to three times more likely to get RA than men.