{
  "id": 7438903,
  "title": "Victoria Azarenka, Danielle Collins eligibility status changed in post US Open WTA rankings",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/victoria-azarenka-danielle-collins-eligibility-status-changed-in-post",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T01:22:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/victoria-azarenka-danielle-collins-eligibility-012212461.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US Open WTA rankings released post-2026 indicate that Victoria Azarenka and Danielle Collins have been deemed inactive by the WTA. Both players last competed at the 2025 US Open, having played no matches during the past year to earn ranking points. Azarenka, a former World No. 1 from Belarus, had hinted at retirement through her social media messages, including a poignant birthday message on July 31. Collins, who had previously declared her retirement after the 2024 season, only returned in 2025 but chose not to rejoin the WTA Tour this summer. While inactive status can change, as demonstrated by Serena Williams' resurgence, the current trajectory for Azarenka and Collins appears set towards retirement.",
  "summary": "It looks like Victoria Azarenka and Danielle Collins are hanging up their tennis racquets, at least for the foreseeable future. Both last played at the 2025 US Open. The post 2026 US Open WTA rankings signify 12 months that each has played.",
  "key_points": [
    "Victoria Azarenka and Danielle Collins deemed inactive by WTA.",
    "Azarenka hinted at retirement on social media in July 2025.",
    "Collins returned in 2025 but chose not to rejoin WTA Tour."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The change in eligibility status for Victoria Azarenka and Danielle Collins reflects their prolonged absence from competition, suggesting their careers are winding down or already over.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}