We’re the Highest Paid Women’s Sport in the World’- American Tennis Star Danielle Collins Says Ashleigh Barty’s Retirement Is Proof of Empowerment

Danielle Collins feels Ashleigh Barty’s retirement at the age of 25 is a real example of how tennis empowers women. Collins cruised into the third round of the Miami Masters 1000. Entering the tournament as the 9th seed, Collins received a bye in the opening round. In the second round, she beat Anna Bondar 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

During her pre-tournament press conference in Miami, Collins was asked to share her thoughts on the sudden retirement of Ashleigh Barty. Her views on the situation surrounding the Australian’s retirement have certainly hogged the limelight.

Danielle Collins on Ashleigh Barty’s retirement

Answering the question, Collins said, “I think for someone to retire at 25, I think it really speaks to the way our sport empowers women. I think it’s just incredible for her to have achieved what she’s achieved on court, to now be able to enjoy the rest of her life.”

“All of the hard work, she certainly was all of that, deserves happy retirement, and hopefully, she can have a great life off the court,” she added.

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During her retirement announcement, Barty mentioned that after reaching the top of women’s tennis, she now has some other dreams to fulfill. Even though she did not give a clear picture of what those dreams are, the tennis community has been in speculation ever since.

It is not just the fans but also her fellow players who are unaware of those dreams. However, even after being unaware, Collins seemed to be sure that Barty would be able to fulfill those dreams, considering the success she has had.

“I know she probably has many more goals she wants to fulfill. I’m sure that she’s going to be able to do that with all the success that she’s had.”

Collins appreciates the greatness of tennis

A majority of the world seems to be critical of Barty’s retirement at 25. Tennis admirers around the globe have been of the view that Barty had the potential to win many more slams. However, Collins, who is 28 herself, feels otherwise. Instead of restricting her to Barty, the American instead opted to see the bigger picture. She asserted that it is the greatness of tennis that gave her the leverage of retiring at 25.

“I think it’s so cool being able to retire at 25. What other profession would you be able to do that in? There’s not too many. I think it’s incredible for our sport.”

What does Collins mean by ‘tennis empowers women’?

Expressing her views on Barty’s retirement, Collins had confessed that she feels it is the sport of tennis that empowers women like none other. However, what was left unclear in her statement was, what did she mean by empowering. Was it the financial commitment of the sport, or the liberty to make your own decisions?

Clearing the air and the assumptions, Collins said, “I think all of those things.”

Elaborating further, she claimed that tennis is the highest paid women’s sport all over the world. “I think this sport empowers us in a way financially that is really unique to other sports. We’re the highest-paid women’s sport in the world.”

“I think everything else that we work hard for every day, what we’re able to achieve on court, I think it leads to so many great things later down the road,” she further added.

The 2022 Australian Open runner-up ended by summarizing her views saying, “I think the sport empowers us in ways that is so unique to other fields. Yeah, just to see somebody retire at 25 years old, this is incredible. It’s something to really celebrate and really acknowledge.”

Danielle Collins on the tour

As far as tennis is concerned, Collins started her 2022 season by being a runner-up at the Australian Open. She retired during the second set in her tournament opener against Marketa Vondrousova in Dubai owing to injuries. Subsequently, she also pulled out of the Indian Wells Masters citing ‘continuing’ injuries.

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Making a comeback at the Miami Masters, she is now in the third round. Collins will lock horns against Vera Zvonareva for a spot in the last 16 in Miami.