"Danielle Collins ending her Slam career with a choke… girl"; "Can't f**king believe" - Fans shocked by American's US Open 1R exit ahead of retirement

Tennis fans were shocked by Danielle Collins’ opening-round exit at the 2024 US Open. The American suffered a loss at the hands of her compatriot Caroline Dolehide on Tuesday, August 27.

While Collins staged a dominant start, taking the first set 6-1, Dolehide edged her out with a 7-5 scoreline in the second set to level the match. In the deciding set, Caroline Dolehide struck first for a 5-3 lead, poised to serve out the match.

Danielle Collins, however, fended off two match points to break right back (5-4). Despite her valiant effort, the World No. 11 lost her very next service game to hand Caroline Dolehide a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 win after a brutal two hours and 41 minutes of play.

Collins’ defeat means she has played the final Grand Slam singles match of her career. At the Australian Open in January, the 30-year-old announced her plan to retire at the end of the 2024 season. Several tennis fans were thus devastated by the outcome.

"Wow not at all emotionally prepared for a danielle collins goodbye," one fan wrote on X.

"Can't f**king believe....MOTHER will be missed," another fan said.

"A UNIQUE DANIMAL DEPARTS: Danielle Collins never won a Slam, never broke into the top 5, never was in a Super Bowl ad. But it was hard not to love her/Bright, transparent, outspoken, a feminist & so American/She lost today to Dolehide/Now we'll dearly miss her passion & integrity," yet another fan said.

"Bit of a bummer, but taking the year as a whole maybe this is ideal. Fantastic results, biggest title of her career, but not enough success at the end of the year to introduce doubt about her decision to retire," one fan said.

Several others were surprised by Collins’ drop-off following her mini comeback in the final set. It is also worth noting that the American, who won two titles this season in Miami and Charleston, was one of the top ten favorites to clinch the US Open title.

"DanYELL ending her slam career with a choke … girl," one fan said.

"Shocking loss & early exit for Danielle Collins. She’s played so well this year & had a real chance at a run at her last #USOpen Tennis will miss Danimal…" another individual said.

A few fans were amused by No. 49-ranked Dolehide pulling off an inspiring comeback victory.

"You're seriously telling me Caroline Dolehide could hand Maria SakkaR1 a 1000 title, but she couldn't allow Danielle Collins a final fairytale run at a grand slam? Rude," one fan said, pointing at the 25-year-old's 2023 Guadalajara final loss.

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Danielle Collins' Grand Slam journey not over yet despite US Open 2024 singles loss

Collins pictured at the 2024 US Open - Source: Getty

Danielle Collins enjoyed a noteworthy career in Grand Slam singles. The former World No. 7 reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2020. Her best result came at the 2022 Australian Open, where she finished as the runner-up against since-retired Ashleigh Barty.

At the US Open and Wimbledon, she made it as far as the fourth round in 2022 and 2024, respectively.

While Danielle Collins was knocked out of the singles event at the 2024 US Open, her journey in New York has yet to reach its conclusion. The American is set to contest the women’s doubles title alongside France’s Caroline Garcia.

The French-American duo open their campaign against Americans Alana Smith and Anna Sinclair Rogers on Wednesday, August 28.