- Danielle Collins retires, embracing new successes with contentment
- Collins triumphs at Miami Open, her most prestigious title
- Despite low ranking, Collins dominates Miami Open, secures victory
Danielle Collins, who had previously finished second at the Australian Open, announced casually at the start of the current season that she would be retiring from professional tennis. In contrast to most individuals who find it difficult to move on, Collins has expressed her decision without distress. Instead, accepting the conclusion of her professional journey has been liberating, enabling her to strive for excellence and ensure a successful conclusion devoid of remorse.
Collins, who had already established a solid start to the year, has produced tennis of the highest calibre over the past two weeks, methodically dismissing the world’s top players from the court. Collins concluded one of her career’s most productive work weeks on Saturday by defeating fourth seed Elena Rybakina, 7-5, 6-3, to win the Miami Open – by far her most prestigious title.
At No. 53, Collins is the lowest-ranked Miami Open champion following her first WTA 1000 victory. Additionally, at 30, the individual in question ranks second among all-time first-time Miami Open champions, with only Petra Kvitova, the victor from the previous year, being older. Collins, who began the year rated No. 71 and was previously ranked No. 7, will re-enter the top 30 at No. 22.
Despite the substantial disparity in their rankings and limited experience in the most significant tournaments, Collins entered the final with an enormous advantage, as evidenced by their form and the calibre of tennis they had demonstrated. While Rybakina, still seeking her best form, endured four arduous three-set battles in five matches, Collins had been absolutely devastating. Following her initial set defeat at the hands of Bernarda Pera, she cruised through the draw, failing to surrender more than five games in any other match until the championship match.
There was a slight separation between the two players early in the final, with Rybakina consistently leading with her enormous first serve. However, Collins’s relentless, explosive ball striking, especially her phenomenal two-handed backhand, enabled her to seize control of the neutral rallies and frequently dominate Rybakina, an experience the Kazakh is not accustomed to.
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When confronting a breakpoint at 5-5, after both players had maintained their positions in their service games, Collins smashed a thunderous backhand down the line that secured the victory. She subsequently started to strike the ball with greater ease, and following a successful hold on serve, she executed a commanding return to break the serve and claim the set.
Collins was rewarded for her increased willingness to seize the baseline and dictate the course of the match in the second set, despite Rybakina’s persistent attempts to reverse the situation. With four match points remaining in a tumultuous championship game, Collins recorded the most significant triumph of her career.
