Pro Media & News

Collins shines on WTA Sunshine Swing

Arthur Kapetanakis | March 27, 2018


The Sunshine Swing of the WTA Tour has shined a light on 24-year-old Danielle Collins, as the former University of Virginia star has strung together a pair of career-best results in both Indian Wells, Calif., and Miami. After upsetting Madison Keys on her way to the BNP Paribas Open fourth round, the Florida native has gone one better in her home state and is now set to take on Venus Williams, one of her tennis idols, in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.

 

No stranger to the big stage, Collins burst onto the world scene at the 2014 US Open, when she took a set off No. 2 Simona Halep in front of a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. She earned a main-draw wild card by way of her 2014 NCAA singles title, a feat she would repeat as a senior in 2016.

 

Here’s more on the Miami quarterfinalist.

 

The Danielle Collins File

Age: 24

Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Fla.

Current Rank: 93

Career-High Rank: 93

Best US Open Finish: First Round (2014, 2016)

 

The Baseline

  • In the last two weeks, Collins has defeated world No. 15 Madison Keys, No. 16 Coco Vandeweghe and 2016 Olympic champion Monica Puig, all on her favored hard courts.
  • Currently ranked No. 93, she will enter the WTA Top 70 when the new rankings are released after the Miami Open. Going into the year, Collins’ goal was to establish herself in the Top 100. 
  • Collins kicked off 2018 by winning the WTA 125K Oracle Challenger Series title in Newport Beach, Calif., her fifth career singles title, and has not looked back since. She also holds four USTA Pro Circuit crowns, the first coming in Williamsburg, Va., in 2011. 
  • After transferring from the University of Florida following her freshman year, Collins graduated from the University of Virginia in 2016 as the top-ranked college player in the country. She led her team to a pair of NCAA quarterfinals appearances, a first for the UVA program. 
  • Collins, who graduated with a degree in media studies, valued her education so much that she declined to collect a $35,000 check for her 2014 US Open first-round appearance in order to maintain NCAA eligibility and her tennis scholarship.

They Said It!

 

“I've had the best weeks of my life for my tennis. Win or lose, I don't really have anything to lose. I'm going to go out there and do the best I can, and it's going to be a great match, I think." – Collins told WTATennis.com ahead of her quarterfinal showdown with Venus Williams. 

 

TOURNAMENTS NEAR YOU


PROGRAMS NEAR YOU


Skip Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

  • Visit the Collins reaches Miami SFs page
    Pro Media & News
    Collins reaches Miami SFs
    March 27, 2024
    Danielle Collins defeats former world No. 4 Caroline Garcia to advance to the women's singles semifinals at the 2024 Miami Open. Read More
  • Visit the Pegula, Collins into QFs page
    Pro Media & News
    Pegula, Collins into QFs
    March 26, 2024
    Jessica Pegula wins an all-American showdown with Emma Navarra and Danielle Collins upsets 19th seed Sorana Cirstea on Monday in the Miami fourth round. Read More
  • Visit the Damm, Rogers win in Miami page
    Pro Media & News
    Damm, Rogers win in Miami
    March 21, 2024
    Martin Damm won his first tour-level match on Wednesday in Miami, where Shelby Rogers scored her first WTA victory in 11 months. Read More