Danielle Collins is gearing up for her final grand slam ahead of her retirement at the end of the year.
It has been a superb last dance for Danielle Collins, with the American enjoying the best season of her career.
A long journey to the top of the WTA, Collins played collegiate tennis at the University of Virginia and won the NCAA singles title twice, ultimately finishing her career in Virginia as the top-ranked collegiate player.
Having first established herself on the WTA Tour when she reached the semi finals of the Miami Open six years ago, her breakthrough truly came the following year when she reached the semi finals of the Australian Open.
Having since reached the final in Melbourne and won in Miami this year, Collins is finishing her career with a flourish.
Danielle Collins reflects on the proudest moment of her career
Having been ranked 71st in February, Collins rose to the world number eight in a mesmerising career sprint finish.
In light of her retirement, Collins told The Guardian about her ‘unorthodox’ rise through the collegiate ranks all the way to the top 10.
“That’s probably one of the things I’m most proud of in my career,” she said. “The trajectory from how I started as a collegiate athlete, to how I was able to work my way to the top, to earn it. To really, truly earn it. I know what the sacrifice and sweat and tears mean.
“I didn’t have most of my success until later in my twenties and now early thirties. That seems to be unorthodox in the tennis industry.”
Danielle Collins’ fiery personality will be missed on the WTA tour
While it’s not completely over, a recent Collins injury as well as some slightly poorer form of late has put a question mark over the American’s New York ambitions.
Collins has represented all that’s exciting about the WTA and has brought a different and energetic approach to her time on tour.
Heading in to her final major and likely with a buoyant home crowd willing her on, Collins is the prime candidate to really thrive off that energy.
With such fighting spirit, Collins goes against compatriot Caroline Dolehide in her opening match, who has never got past the first round.
Whatever the outcome of the US Open however, Collins’ ruthless shot-making and persistent fist-pumps will be greatly missed on the tour.
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