Source: ESPN
In January, Danielle Collins announced that 2024 would be her final season on tour following a second-round loss at the Australian Open.
On Saturday, less than three months later, she won the biggest title of her career.
Playing in her home state of Florida, the 30-year-old Collins entered the Miami Open unseeded and ranked No. 53 in the world. But after she dropped the first set in her opening-round match against fellow American Bernarda Pera, Collins was virtually unstoppable. She rolled through the draw — never dropping more than five total games in a match — into the final.
She faced No. 4 seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the final, in front of a packed crowd that included Andre Agassi, one of her childhood idols. Collins capped off her incredible fortnight with yet another dominant performance, winning the match 7-5, 6-3.
It marked the first 1000-level title for Collins and her first WTA trophy since 2021. She became the lowest-ranked women’s champion in tournament history — and her ranking has now skyrocketed to No. 22 as she heads to South Carolina for this week’s Charleston Open.
While it would be understandable to think Collins might now be reconsidering her decision to retire at year’s end, she has continued to shut down such speculation, citing her challenges with endometriosis and hopes to start a family. But she has said that the looming finish line has given her extra motivation.
“I really think part of the reason why I played so well and did a good job today was because I had that mentality of, like, I’m going to enjoy every minute of this,” Collins told reporters after her victory. “This is my last year, this is my last season, and these are some of my final events. I want to remember these moments.”
Knowing just how good Collins can be when she’s at her best, the rest of her farewell tour could certainly be one to remember.
THE AUTHOR: D’Arcy Maine
