Retiring Danielle Collins loses at US Open, declines on-court presentation - ESPN

NEW YORK — Former world No. 7 Danielle Collins wasn't interested in any type of celebration after her Grand Slam singles career came to an end Tuesday at the US Open.

Playing against fellow American Caroline Dolehide in the first round at Louis Armstrong Stadium, 30-year-old Collins squandered an early lead and fell in three sets, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Collins announced in January that this would be her final season on tour, and after the match tournament director Stacey Allaster appeared on court with flowers for Collins.

However, a clearly disappointed Collins did not want to partake in an on-court presentation. Instead, she appeared to wave off Allaster and walked off court. Moments later, and still wearing her match clothes, Collins explained to reporters during her postmatch news conference that she had previously declined such an opportunity when asked.

«I'm still in the doubles, and I had requested not to have any presentation on the court,» Collins said. «I'm not somebody that likes to celebrate my accomplishments. I've struggled with feeling guilt, you know, around success, and that's something I have had to work on.

»So I'm not great, honestly, at having an all-about-me moment. I just… would prefer to do something like that maybe in private. But I feel like I've gotten enough attention to last a lifetime."

She then compared it to a scene from the 2004 film «Meet the Fockers.»

«I was kind of thinking of that movie… where you know, Gaylord has a shrine and all his 18th-place medals,» Collins said with a smile. «I don't want to be like Gaylord, so I think I'm good.»

Collins, who is ranked No. 11, surprised the tennis world when she revealed she would be retiring at season's end. The two-time NCAA singles champion reached