Danielle Collins’ dog Quincy crashes US Open mixed doubles press conference

NEW YORK—The 2025 US Open celebrated its first doubles trio after Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison eased into the semifinals of its revamped mixed tournament, Collins’ dog Quincy serving as the guest of honor in their post-match press conference.

“I’ve had him since he was eight weeks old,” Collins explained as Quincy patrolled the rows of Interview Room 1. “He’s five and a half now. He’s still my baby. I don’t believe it when people tell me with dog years it’s like, seven for every year. I cannot grasp the fact that he’s technically like a 35-year-old man. It’s just not true. I don’t believe it!

“Quincy is a dignified gentleman,” Collins added later. “He’s a sophisticated gentleman and that’s how I’d like for you to refer to him. He’s so sophisticated!”

A noted animal lover—and owner of her very own chicken farm—Collins and Harrison were certainly all class on the doubles court on Tuesday. Making the most of their position as last-minute alternates following the withdrawal of ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, the all-American duo won back-to-back mixed doubles matches to book their spot in Wednesday’s championship evening.

“I feel like we kind of were predicting we were going to get in,” said Collins, who cut an evening short with a friend to get a good night’s sleep on Monday. “We were talking about just the whole element of, if somebody pulled out, we’d get in. We were prepared for the most part.”

All the same, the news that they had indeed replaced Sinner and partner Katerina Siniakova Tuesday morning did take some time to sink in.

“[Christian] told me twice, and it didn't register,” Collins said with a laugh. “At some point I was like, ‘Wait, when are we going to get in?’ He was like, ‘I literally just told you we got in twice.’

“We took a picture, first official picture, getting in the tournament,” explained Harrison. “We're hitting, warming up. Next changeover she's like, ‘Are we in yet?’ I'm like, ‘That's literally why we took the picture!’”

Collins is likely playing her final tournament of the season after prolonging her career by an extra year, having previously announced she would hang up her racquets in 2024. Following that announcement, the American played some of the best tennis of her career, winning back-to-back titles at the Miami Open and Credit One Charleston Open. But a few things remained on her tennis bucket list, one of which was a mixed doubles berth with Harrison.

I think that's the coolest concept ever. How many tournaments offer people to be able to come out here and watch tennis for free? I think that’s so good for our sport, having that kind of hospitality for our fans. I was just over the moon. Danielle Collins on the revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament

“I feel like we probably talked about this so many times, like starting at 15,” said Collins, who previously played mixed doubles with Harrison’s elder brother Ryan.

“She was always supportive of me when I didn't play for many years,” added Harrison. “She was always killing it. I always looked up to players like her that was around our group, especially Danielle, because she was always doing so well. I know how hard she works and how hard she competes, everything she brings day in, day out…This was the first time there was a possibility, [so] I think I asked her right away.”

Primarily a singles competitor, Collins has expressed an interest in playing more doubles but for scheduling and health issues, making the Fan Week and Fast Four format ideal elements for the former world No. 7.

“What an amazing concept,” hailed Collins, who will face defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori on Wednesday. “When we got in today, a couple friends were like, ‘We're going to try to make it to the match.’ I was like to my team, ‘Do we need to get tickets?’

“When they told me it's just open, people can come out, I think that's the coolest concept ever. How many tournaments offer people to be able to come out here and watch tennis for free? I think that’s so good for our sport, having that kind of hospitality for our fans. I was just over the moon.”

The US Open fans aren’t the only ones enjoying a top-tier experience. Quincy has been getting star treatment since arriving at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

“I have to say, the US Open has been hooking him up,” Collins revealed. “He got a wonderful scarf as a welcome gift. He got a YETI dog bowl. What else? He's been eating salmon and sweet potatoes. The chefs upstairs have been making him nice meals. He had bacon and eggs for breakfast today.

“What is it going to be tonight, surf and turf?” she said, asking Quincy from the seats. “We're getting spoiled here and so is Quincy.”

It’s safe to assume Quincy will make his very own Arthur Ashe Stadium debut should Collins and Harrison clinch the mixed doubles title on Wednesday.