"Cutest practice partner" - Danielle Collins hits the court with pet dog Quincy, gears up for Billie Jean King Finals after reversing retirement plans

Danielle Collins this week hit the practice court with her pet dog Quincy. This comes soon after she reversed her retirement plans. Collins is scheduled to represent the United States of America at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this year.

Earlier this year, Collins had announced that the 2024 season would be her last year playing as a professional tennis player. She cited personal matters and her desire to start a family as the reasons for her early retirement.

However, Collins had a change of heart following some meetings with doctors, and earlier this month revealed that she will not be retiring at the end of 2024, but will instead continue competing in 2025. In a post on Instagram, she said,

"While I was very excited and eager to wrap up my tennis career on a high note this year and jump headfirst into my next chapter of life, things have not gone as planned. So, the DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion.

She added,

"I will be back on tour in 2025. I hope to build on my 2024 momentum and keep playing until there is more certainty around my personal fertility journey . The only guarantee for now will be some more epic matches."

On Saturday, Collins took to social media and shared a heartwarming picture of her pet dog Quincy joining her at practice. Taking to her Instagram stories, she called Quincy the "cutest practice partner." She wrote:

"The cutest practice partner 💚 @fpmovement @tecnifibre"

Screen grab of Danielle Coliins' Instagram story | Instagram@danimalcollins

Danielle Collins, whose last match on the WTA tour was at the 2024 Guadalajara Open, will next compete at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 20, 2024, at the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain.

The former World No.7 will be representing the USA alongside Jessica Pegula, Peyton Stearns, Taylor Townsend, and Caroline Dolehide, with Lindsay Davenport serving as the team captain.

The American team will take on Slovakia in the first round on 14 November 2024, with the winner advancing to play fourth-seeded Australia in the quarterfinals. Collins will begin her campaign by facing Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in a singles match.

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Danielle Collins named in USA's squad for United Cup 2025

Danielle Collins pictured playing a backhand [Source: Getty]

Danielle Collins has been selected to represent the United States in the 2025 United Cup. The tournament will take place from 27 December 2024 to 5 January 2025 in Perth and Sydney and will conclude just before the start of the Australian Open.

Collins, along with Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, Denis Kudla, Robert Galloway, and Desirae Krawczyk, will represent the American team.

Team USA is the top seed and will compete in Group A alongside Canada and a third team which will be confirmed in November. The Group A matches are scheduled to be held at RAC Arena in Perth.