"It's not easy, you're not gonna be out there with a big grin on your face" -Danielle Collins sympathizes with Andy Murray about chronic health issues

Danielle Collins recently sympathized with Andy Murray over his health struggles. The American claimed that it's not an easy experience and that he shouldn't be expected to be on the court playing with a big grin on his face.

Andy Murray has struggled with injuries over the past few years and has undergone two hip surgeries. He had hip resurfacing surgery in 2018 to address chronic pain in his hip, and in 2019, he had a second hip operation during which he received a metal implant.

Danielle Collins was a guest on a recent episode of Andy Roddick’s podcast ‘Served with Andy Roddick’. While discussing the attitudes of players on and off the court, Roddick called Murray an intelligent and cool guy off the court but a different person on the court.

Collins weighed in by stating that the Englishman has had a lot of injuries and that it's not always easy dealing with these injuries and playing five-setters that go on for hours.

“I think people have to remember that Andy has had a lot of physical agony out there sometimes, usually in men's matches, you have these five-setters that go for hours and hours. If you have a couple of injuries that you've been dealing with and like these chronic health issues, it's not easy,” Danielle Collins said (49:15).

Collins added that when facing these challenges, one wouldn't be expected to go out on the court all smiles; instead, it's natural to feel gloomy and not show much excitement.

“And of course, you're not gonna go out there with a big grin on your face and just be like 'Oh, thank you, I'm so grateful.' You're going to have moments when you're mopey and things don't feel great, and you might be griping a little bit, but that's just part of it,” she said.

Andy Murray is currently competing at the BNP Paribas Primrose in Bordeaux after recovering from an ankle injury sustained at the Miami Open in March. He is set to face Grégoire Barrère in the second round of the tournament.

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Danielle Collins - "When you speak up for yourself when it's worth it, you know people love to give you a hard time for it… that's part of being a successful person"

Danielle Collins

In the same podcast appearance, Collins also spoke about the criticisms that come with being a successful person and how players are judged for being fiery and speaking up for themselves. She stated that while you may act appropriately most of the time, any slight deviation or assertiveness can still draw unwarranted criticism from people.

"You can do the right things 99.9% of the time, but whenever there is that 0.1% where you're a little fiery or a little spicy, or when you speak up for yourself when it's worth it, you know people love to give you a hard time for it. I think that's part of being a successful person and being a successful athlete,” Danielle Collins said (48:15).

Danielle Collins is having a great season so far. She has won the Miami Open and the Charleston Open and is currently in the semifinals of the 2024 Italian Open.