NEW YORK — Danielle Collins unceremoniously packed up her bag and quickly headed for the exit at Louis Armstrong Stadium, as US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster followed behind her, awkwardly carrying a bouquet of flowers. Collins had just lost to Caroline Dolehide in three sets in the final major singles match of her career, and possibly her last singles match ever.
The tournament organizers had wanted to celebrate the career of the former world No. 7 and 2022 Australian Open finalist — as they had done on court the day before for 2020 champion Dominic Thiem and two-time quarterfinalist Diego Schwartzman — but Collins simply wasn’t interested.
“I had requested not to have any presentation on the court,” Collins, currently ranked No. 11, told reporters after the match Tuesday, with audible exhaustion in her voice. “I’m not somebody that likes to celebrate my accomplishments.”
Hours later, the tournament got its chance for an on-court celebration as Collins’ fellow American Shelby Rogers, who had announced that the US Open would be her final tournament last week, officially wrapped her career. Rogers, a two-time major quarterfinalist, including at the 2020 US Open, had fallen to Jessica Pegula in the first round 6-4, 6-3. But even in her disappointment, Rogers seemed moved by the gesture and by those who had stayed in the stands to honor her. She smiled widely when Allaster approached her after the match, and as a tribute video was shown.
“I expected to feel a lot of emotions, but the main one is just gratitude,” Rogers said to the crowd, which included several tearful family members. “Gratitude for all the amazing moments and some tough ones on this court, too. But [it’s] really special that I’m able to play here one more time.”
While the reactions of Rogers, 31, and Collins, 30, couldn’t have been more different — and perhaps perfectly embodied their distinct personalities — their collective farewell to the US Open and sport marks the end of an era for two of the most cherished American women on tour. For the past decade, both have represented the U.S. on numerous occasions as part of the team at the Billie Jean King Cup. Rogers was a part of the squad that won the title in 2017, and Collins has been a key member during the past four editions and also…
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