Danielle Collins Credits “Gay Men” and Her Therapist for Making it to 32

Let’s be honest: surviving your twenties and crossing the threshold into your thirties is an extreme sport in itself. But if you’re Danielle Collins—the fiery American tennis star known for her unfiltered passion—you don’t just thank your family or your coach when you hit the big 3-2. No, you keep it delightfully real.

As the “Danimal” celebrated her 32nd birthday this past Saturday, she took to Instagram to drop a quote that is honestly peak relatable content.

An Icon of the People

The internet was flooded with birthday wishes for Collins, proving that despite her rollercoaster relationship with the tour, she’s still a massive fan favorite. But one shoutout stood out from the noise. The official Instagram page for “The Gay Tennis Podcast,” hosted by Tony Hagen, posted a classic throwback clip.

You know the one. It’s that legendary moment on clay where Collins, after winning a point, blows the “smoke” off her racket like she just won a duel at high noon. It’s camp, it’s fierce, and it’s exactly why the gays love her.

Collins, never one to miss a beat, reposted the story with a caption that belongs in the Hall of Fame of athlete tweets: “I’d like to thank my therapist and all the gay men for helping me getting to 32.”

This right here? This is why we stan. It’s not the standard “blessed to see another year” PR fluff. It’s a raw, hilarious acknowledgement of the support systems that actually keep us sane. Who needs a trophy when you have a good therapist and a legion of stans ready to defend your honor on Twitter?

The “Will She, Won’t She” Retirement Saga

If you’ve been following Collins lately, you probably have emotional whiplash from her retirement announcements. It’s been a whole saga.

Back in 2024, after bowing out to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open, Collins seemed ready to hang up the racket for good. She cited health and fertility challenges, saying she wanted to start a family. At the time, she was pretty fed up with people questioning her choice, essentially telling everyone to let her retire in peace.

“I’m going to be 31 at the end of the year… give me a break! Let me retire and have a family in peace!” she said back in May 2024.

But then, the plot twisted. Last October, she pulled a “sike!” and announced she’d be returning for the 2025 season. The “Danimal” story wasn’t over yet. It was a relief for fans who weren’t ready to say goodbye to her explosive baseline game, but it also left everyone wondering: how long is she sticking around?

A Mixed Bag of a Season

Looking back at her 2025 run, it’s been… complicated. It wasn’t exactly a fairytale comeback tour.

She had some solid moments, sure. She hit the fourth round at the Miami Open (where she was the defending champ), eventually falling to the powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka. She also made the quarterfinals at the Credit One Charleston Open before Jessica Pegula showed her the door.

But the majors were rough. A third-round exit at Wimbledon and a painful first-round loss at the US Open to Jaqueline Cristian definitely stung. It’s clear the talent is still there, but the consistency? That’s been a bit elusive.

Missing in Action for Melbourne

And now for the bad news. If you were hoping to see Collins scream “Come on!” Down Under in 2026, you’re out of luck. Her name is conspicuously missing from the official entry list for the 2026 Australian Open.

Considering she’s currently ranked No. 64 and has a history of success in Melbourne (finalist in 2022, remember?), her absence is a bummer. It seems like the grind of the tour is something she’s taking in smaller doses these days.

Whether she’s on the court smashing rackets or off the court thanking her therapist, Danielle Collins remains one of the most entertaining figures in the sport. Here’s hoping 32 brings her whatever she needs—be it more wins, more therapy sessions, or just some peace and quiet.