‘I’m just grateful’ – Former Wimbledon semi-finalist adopts injured dog who was hit by a car during Miami Open

DANIELLE COLLINS has adopted a dog after taking him to the vet during the Miami Open.

Collins, 31, was defending her title in Florida.

The American lost to world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka on Monday, but hasn't come away from the tournament empty handed.

Last Saturday, Collins spotted an injured dog curled up on the road having been hit by a car.

The world No.15 took the injured dog to a veterinary hospital, subsequently asking fans on Instagram to pray for him.

Having since been able to take the dog home, Collins revealed that she has named him “Crash”.

The former Australian Open finalist wrote in a further update: “Crash is recovering and finally out of the hospital after five days on oxygen support.

“His breathing is back to normal, his wounds are healing, and he's definitely enjoying all the love he's receiving. He's curious, affectionate and grateful for a second chance at life.

“It was so incredibly painful to witness a dog in so much pain after being hit by a car and left in the middle of the road with so many people driving by his curled up body.

“I'm just grateful I was able to be there and get him the care he needed.

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“I've officially adopted him. Once he finishes recovering he'll be attending school.”

Collins, who reached the Wimbledon women's doubles semi-finals in 2022, had been planning to retire at the end of last season.

Citing fertility issues stemming from her ongoing battle with endometriosis, however, Collins revealed that she'd be playing on after all.

The former Olympian wrote on social media: “It’s been a stressful time with these horrific hurricanes that wiped through Florida, and on top of it I’ve been dealing with some issues around my endometriosis and other health challenges.

“While I was very excited and eager to wrap up my tennis career on a high note this year and jump head-first into my next chapter of life, things have not gone as planned.

“In addition to managing some lingering health challenges the past few months, I’ve recently been seeing a handful of specialists to better understand what my best path forward is to achieve my ultimate dream, starting a family.

“Dealing with endometriosis and fertility is a massive challenge for many women and something that I am actively traversing, but I am fully confident in the team I am working with. It is just going to take longer than I thought.

“So, the DANIMAL story has not reached its conclusion. I will be back on tour in 2025.”

Collins will exit the world's top 20 when the new rankings come out after the Miami Open.

She is set to get her clay court season underway in Charleston next week.