Danielle Collins, an Australian Open finalist, has signed with IMG Tennis, a branch of WME Sports, for representation. Jill Smoller and Matt Fawcett will represent the top-ranked American player on the WTA or ATP tours. She’s currently ranked No. 8 in the world, which is a career-best. Collins has been without representation for some time, but her longtime mentor Marty Schneider will continue to advise her. Her team is presently looking for shoe and apparel deals, and she has a racquet endorsement with Babolat. Danielle Collins is currently sponsored by the sports equipment company Babolat and uses the Babolat Pure Aero+ racquet. Her sponsorship deal with footwear and apparel company New Balance ended last summer.
Throughout her career, Danielle Collins has sustained more than her fair share of injuries. Last year, the 28-year-old underwent emergency surgery for endometriosis and suffered a stomach injury at the French Open. According to Collins, endometriosis, in which the tissue that borders the womb develops outside of it, is “the worst pain I’ve ever had,” according to Collins.
After her success in the year’s first Major, the American rose to No. 8 in the WTA rankings. Collins is the highest-ranked American on the WTA Tour, and her brash style of tennis has piqued the interest of tennis fans all over the world.
Adds her name to the top list
Danielle Collins is the most recent tennis player to join IMG’s roster of top athletes. Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Daniil Medvedev are among the sports agency’s clients, as are teen talents Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu.
Novak Djokovic signed the deal in 2012 with IMG. Under the terms of the exclusive multi-year agreement, IMG represents Novak in developing a brand-building strategy through marketing, endorsements, appearances, licensing, and select global business initiatives.
When Djokovic’s deal was done in 2012, IMG chairman and chief executive Mike Dolan said: “Novak Djokovic is a superbly talented tennis player, and world-class competitor who demonstrates a very strong character through his passion and commitment to his game. I believe he has the ability to translate those qualities into achieving great success working with global brands in the marketplace.”
Emma Raducanu is the upcoming star of IMG. After winning the US Open last year, the limelight has been on her. When asked about the win, Michel Masquelier, former Chairman of IMG Media, part of the global sports management giant, said: “It’s as good as it gets,” he says. “Tennis is a genuinely international sport, but it’s also an individual sport so any individual who shines on that stage is instantly recognizable. You see the face of the athlete more than in football, Formula 1 or golf.”
