Danielle Collins has shared why she is strongly backing tennis veterans Venus Williams and Tatjana Maria as they prepare to face each other at the 2026 Hobart International on Tuesday. The WTA 250 tournament serves as a warm-up event ahead of the Australian Open.
At 45, Williams is still competing regularly on tour and has shown no signs of stepping away anytime soon. The Hobart International marks her second event of the 2026 season, following her appearance at the ASB Classic last week. Her opponent, Maria, is also a seasoned campaigner, with the 38-year-old still going strong on the WTA circuit.
During an appearance on Tennis Channel, Collins, 32, was asked for her thoughts on the matchup. She said it was reassuring to see two veterans facing each other, noting that it made her feel more at ease about still competing at her own age.
“It’s a good sign for someone like me. I feel fresh as a daisy at 32 years old. It’s incredible. the length of career is getting extended much longer on the women’s side and on the men’s side too. We just see so many players that are not only having good success out there on court at a later age but they are also enjoying it and seeming to have a lot of fun out there,” DaniellE Collins said.
Collins is currently working as a guest analyst and commentator for the Tennis Channel while taking a break from tennis. The break means she will miss the Australian Open, after confirming that she recently underwent an egg-freezing procedure.
Danielle Collins Explains Why Venus Williams Could Be At Disadvantage Against Tatjana Maria
Danielle Collins went on to share more detailed thoughts on the Venus Williams–Tatjana Maria matchup at the Hobart International. She offered an in-depth analysis and explained why she feels Williams could be at a disadvantage in this particular contest.
According to Collins, Maria’s unique weapons, including her slice, strong net play, and all-court game, could cause problems for Williams. She also noted that while Williams has enjoyed an incredible career, her recent losses may have affected her confidence.
“Tatjana Maria, having a slice backhand, she has good variety and a really great all-around game, it’s gonna be tough for Venus,” Collins said. “I get the sense that Venus probably doesn’t wanna face someone that is hitting those types of junk shots and slices and balls really low over the net. Maria’s movement has improved a lot in the last year. She has had some great results. She is feeling really confident. I still think Venus, even though her career speaks for herself, she has had some losses in recent years, so she is gonna have to really focus on trying to rebuild that confidence back a little bit.”
