Danielle Collins quickly walked off the court after her last Grand Slam appearance ended with a shock first-round exit.

The world No. 11 is retiring at the end of this year and she was hoping to go out with a bang at the US Open after enjoying a career-best season. But she was stunned by fellow American Caroline Dolehide 1-6 7-5 6-4.

The tournament director was standing by with a farewell gift for Collins but she appeared to snub her farewell ceremony as she made a hasty exit.

Collins has emerged as one of the best stories of the 2024 season. Back in January, she announced that this would be her last year on tour before retiring. And she has thrived in the circumstances, winning her biggest career title at the Miami Open and following it up with a win in Charleston.

The American returned to the top 10 earlier this year and came into the US Open as the 11th seed, keen to have a deep run in her final appearance at a Major. But her last Grand Slam tournament was over almost as quickly as it started as she didn’t make it through her first match.

Collins raced through the opening set in half an hour but was pulled into a battle. Dolehide stole the second set and forced a decider. The world No. 49 served for the match but Collins saved two match points and broke back.

But she couldn’t mount a comeback and turn the match around. Dolehide broke immediately to seal a three-set comeback victory – her first-ever main draw win at the US Open.

The pair embraced at the net but Collins didn’t want to hang around. The 30-year-old hot-footed it off of the Louis Armstrong Stadium, walking straight past tournament director Stacey Allaster who was waiting court-side with a bouquet of flowers.

It means Collins missed out on the chance to say goodbye to her home fans at the US Open. The four-time title winner is one of several players competing in their final Grand Slam this fortnight and tournament bosses have made sure to mark every occasion with a ceremony.