Should Danielle Collins have rested herself and not played the week before French Open in light of 2R upset?

The French Open continued to deliver surprising results as American star Danielle Collins lost in the second round of Roland Garros. The 30-year-old was one of the most in-form players coming into the tournament, however, could not capitalise on her recent success at the Grand Slam stage.

Collins was considered one of the dark horses for the Roland Garros title. The 30-year-old participated in various tournaments coming into the French Open, however, in hindsight, these exertions might have cost her in Paris.

Collins' busy schedule before the French Open

Danielle Collins started her clay season on 2nd April at the Charleston WTA 500 tournament. The American dropped just one set on her way to the title, which included wins against higher-ranked players like Ons Jabeur and Maria Sakkari.

Danielle Collins won the Charleston WTA 500 in 2024

After Charleston, Collins participated in the Madrid Open, but it ended in disappointment for the American. The 30-year-old was knocked out in the fourth round by the World No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka.

Collins and Sabalenka collided again in the semifinal of the Italian Open, with the American losing to the Belarussian for the second consecutive time. Regardless, the semifinal run in Rome was filled with positive results for Collins, who did not drop a set and defeated former Grand Slam champion, Victoria Azarenka.

After the Italian Open, Collins confirmed her participation at the Strasbourg WTA 500, scheduled just a week before the French Open. The American made it to the tournament's final but lost to her compatriot, Madison Keys.

After competing in the final of the Strasbourg WTA 500 on the 25th of May, Collins had just one day to recover before her French Open opening round match on the 26th of May.

Should Danielle Collins have managed her schedule better?

In hindsight, Danielle Collins could have managed her tournament schedule better. The American's decision to participate in the Strasbourg WTA 500 just a week before the French Open may have proved costly for the 30-year-old.

Other WTA stars like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff decided to rest and arrive early in Paris to get used to the Roland Garros conditions. After her run to the final in Strasbourg, Collins only had a day to recover before starting her French Open journey.

Danielle Collins has announced that she will retire from professional tennis at the end of the season. It might have been the adrenaline rush to participate in as many tournaments as possible before hanging up her boots that influenced Collins' decision to compete at Strasbourg.

That decision, however, backfired massively as Collins could not physically compete and looked tired and lackluster during her second-round defeat at the hands of qualifier, Olga Danilovic.

The defeat means Collins has missed a glorious opportunity to end her clay court career with a Grand Slam title. The American was in form and her chances to win the Roland Garros looked promising, but this early exit in Paris might hurt Collins for weeks to come.