Billie Jean King sends heartfelt message to Danielle Collins after Miami Open title success

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Danielle Collins made history yesterday when she defied all the odds to win the Miami Open title over Elena Rybakina.

It had already been a mesmeric run that led to her reaching the final, in which she batted aside renowned stars like Caroline Garcia, Sorane Cirstea and Ekaterina Alexandra.

However, this final hurdle certainly promised to be the trickiest.

Fortunately, she was more than up for the task, and has since garnered some much-deserved praise from some of the sport’s greatest names.

Billie Jean King congratulates Miami Open winner Danielle Collins

Many corners of the tennis world have rallied to laud to the 30-year-old, who has captured the spirit of many as she glides through her final year on tour.

In fact, this win has likely sparked even more questions than ever, with her decision to call time on her career almost certain to come under far more scrutiny after just winning the biggest title of it thus far.

However, it actually marks a neat ending to it all, and to finish on top would be far more satisfying than to potentially fade into obscurity simply to hang on for a few more years.

Especially when she has earned such praise from the legendary Billie Jean King now, who took to X to write: ‘Congratulations to Danielle Collins on her first WTA 1000 title @MiamiOpen!’

Danielle Collins enjoying a renaissance in her last year on tour

Having announced her retirement, it truly feels like Collins is playing some of the best, most free-flowing tennis of her career.

And now, having triumphed over Rybakina in the final of a WTA 1000 event, her first-ever title at such a level, that notion is only further justified.

Yesterday she was relentless, facing off against an opponent ranked fourth in the world, and deservedly so.

With a devastating forehand and a rock-solid backhand, there are little flaws in the 24-year-old’s game.

So, if Collins was going to win, she had to be near-perfect.

Fortunately, she was, and despite facing plenty of break points she held her nerve and batted away last year’s runner-up.

In the end, Collins was good value for her victory, and showcased her emotion upon winning that final, all-important point.

And for Rybakina, this certainly will not be the last we see of her in top-level finals. In fact, despite her stature and prominence within the sport, this is alarmingly just the beginning.