American tennis player Danielle Collins has candidly discussed the challenges of finding a life partner while competing at the highest level, following a tournament where she became a pantomime villain for the Melbourne Park crowd.
From Court Controversy to Personal Quest
The 31-year-old found herself repeatedly booed during this year's Australian Open, particularly during her fiery first-round victory over local hope Destanee Aiava. Collins responded to the hostile reception with taunts, sarcastic kisses towards the crowd, and a cheeky backside slap celebration, which only served to intensify the jeers.
The negativity followed her into the next round, and she later stirred further controversy by posting photos from a 'five-star vacation' she had mentioned in a post-match interview. Now, the athlete has turned her focus from on-court battles to a more personal one: her desire to settle down.
The Needle in a Haystack Search
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Collins revealed her struggle to find a husband and start a family, a quest that has even led her to dating apps. She admitted receiving a flood of direct messages on social media but said most candidates have to be 'put off to the side'.
'I would be lying if I said nothing too serious has come out of this, but it's kind of like needle in a haystack,' Collins explained. 'It's such an influx coming in that it's kind of hard to go through all of it and figure out who's like a normal person and who's not.'
The Gender Divide in Dating for Athletes
Collins believes a sexist double standard is at play, arguing that successful male tennis players have far more romantic options than their female counterparts. 'I feel like when you're successful as a guy, the amount of people that kind of flock to you is like infinite,' she said.
'But as a woman, when you start to become more successful, it kind of narrows down the dating pool by a lot. I feel like men can feel intimidated sometimes by successful chicks.'
She emphasised that dating any professional tennis player, male or female, requires a special kind of selfless partner, given the relentless travel and the fact their entire lives revolve around their career goals. 'From the time we go to bed to what we eat, training, all of the logistics that go into it... it takes a really big sacrifice from the people that any of us date.'
Collins, who recently ended a year-long relationship with biotech executive Bryan Kipp, had initially planned to retire in 2024 to start a family. Those plans changed due to her ongoing battle with endometriosis. In her search for love, she has even entertained the idea of appearing on The Bachelorette, but with a significant caveat.
'I feel like if they paid the right amount of cash, I would definitely consider it,' she stated, though she admitted the format would be 'too much' out of her comfort zone. 'I would be really uncomfortable dating or seeing multiple people at once. It would kind of freak me out.'
Ultimately, her journey highlights the complex intersection of elite sport, public perception, and personal life, as she navigates the spotlight both on and off the court.
