NEW YORK — Danielle Collins unceremoniously packed up her bag and shortly headed for the exit on Louis Armstrong, as US Open event director Stacey Allaster adopted behind her, awkwardly carrying a bouquet of flowers. Collins had simply misplaced to Caroline Dolehide in three units within the last main singles match of her profession, and presumably her final singles match ever.
The event organizers had wished to rejoice the profession of the previous world No. 7 and 2022 Australian Open finalist — as they’d finished on courtroom the day earlier than for 2020 champion Dominic Thiem and two-time quarterfinalist Diego Schwartzman — however Collins merely wasn’t .
“I had requested to not have any presentation on the courtroom,” Collins, at present ranked No. 11, instructed reporters after the match on Tuesday, with audible exhaustion in her voice. “I am not anyone that likes to rejoice my accomplishments.”
Hours later, the event obtained its likelihood for an-court celebration as Collins’ fellow American Shelby Rogers, who had introduced that the US Open could be her last event final week, formally wrapped up her profession. Rogers, a two-time main quarterfinalist together with on the 2020 US Open, had fallen to Jessica Pegula within the first spherical 6-4, 6-3. However even in her disappointment, Rogers appeared moved by the gesture and by those that had stayed within the stands to honor her. She smiled extensively when Allaster approached her after the match, and as a tribute video was proven.
“I anticipated to really feel a whole lot of feelings, however the primary one is simply gratitude,” Rogers stated to the gang, which included a number of tearful members of the family. “Gratitude for all of the wonderful moments and a few robust ones on this courtroom too. However [it’s] actually particular that I can play right here yet another time.”
Whereas the reactions of Rogers, 31, and Collins, 30, could not have been extra totally different — and maybe completely embodied their distinct personalities — their collective farewell to the US Open and sport marks the top of an period for 2 of essentially the most cherished American ladies on tour. For the previous decade, each have represented the U.S. on quite a few events as a part of the crew on the Billie Jean King Cup. Rogers was part of the squad that gained the title in 2017, and Collins has been a key member over the past 4 editions, and likewise performed on the Olympic crew in Paris this summer time.
“Danielle has meant lots to the crew,” former Billie Jean King Cup crew captain and 2024 Olympic coach Kathy Rinaldi instructed ESPN within the spring. “I believe her document speaks for itself, however I believe she’s simply the kind of participant that you really want. She’s a fighter.
“You at all times know what you are going to get from Danielle. She’s tremendous aggressive. She desires to do nicely, not for herself a lot, however for her nation, for her teammates, and I do know that simply sharing that bench along with her through the years, she simply would depart all the pieces on the market on the courtroom, and you’ll’t ask for something greater than that.”
Collins and Rogers have supplied numerous memorable moments on the courtroom throughout their skilled careers. Collins, who was not sure on Tuesday if she would be capable to play the remainder of the season as a result of accidents and “well being stuff,” has gained 4 WTA titles — together with this season in Miami and Charleston — and has grow to be a beloved, and considerably polarizing, determine for her frequent “Come on!” yells and simple aggressive hearth.
Rogers, who reached a career-high rating of No. 30 in 2022, recorded upset wins over Serena Williams, Simona Halep and Ashleigh Barty in her profession. Her victory over Barty, who was ranked No. 1 on the earth and had gained Wimbledon earlier that yr, on the 2021 US Open in entrance of a packed crowd on Ashe put her firmly etched in event lore.
Widespread amongst her friends within the locker room, even Barty was comfortable for Rogers after the match.
“It sucks in tennis that there is a winner and loser each single day, however typically you do not thoughts shedding to sure individuals,” Barty stated. “I believe Shelby, in a way of her persona and her character, she’s definitely a type of for me.”
Whereas neither Rogers nor Collins gained a significant, and each have been suffering from accidents and illnesses in current months, they every definitely left their mark on the sport and on American tennis.
And for Pegula, who remembers enjoying Rogers in sectional tournaments in Georgia after they have been each younger youngsters, it is a bittersweet reminder of the inevitable conclusion for all skilled athletes. Pegula cried on courtroom after the match when talking about Rogers.
“It is loopy to me that, clearly I do know she had a whole lot of accidents, however to see individuals my age retiring — her, Danielle, it is unhappy,” Pegula, 30, stated earlier than the event obtained underway. “Having the ability to finish your profession on the US Open and play one another, it is fairly wonderful once you have a look at it that approach … no less than it comes full circle ultimately or one other. I hope she’s trying ahead to what’s coming after.”
