Serena Williams has now sent her congratulations to Danielle Collins after her fairytale run to winning the Miami Open title last week.
Overcoming an in-form Elena Rybakina in the final against all the odds, it marked a perfect conclusion to a mesmeric spell of form, in which the 30-year-old has claimed her biggest-ever title as she continues her final year on tour.
Having announced her intentions to call time on her career earlier this year, ever since then interest has spiked in her performances.
And, it seems that this newfound freedom has allowed her to compete at the highest level at last.
Williams certainly knows a thing or two about winning the biggest honours…
Serena Williams sends message to Danielle Collins
As a couple of Americans who have shared the court together in battle, there is a clear mutual respect between them.
However, in viewing Williams’ comment on Collins’ Instagram, perhaps friendship would be a better way to describe their relationship.
The 42-year-old would write, in response to her title-winning post: ‘So happy love this and you’.
Hopefully, as Collins continues her last lap of the WTA tour, she can conjure up a few more moments like this to garner further praise from a legendary tennis figure. After all, Billie Jean King was another who rushed to laud her too.
Serena Williams has taken the Roger Federer route to retirement
Having called time on her career just a month after Roger Federer did, the two seem to be enjoying retirement in largely similar ways.
After all, it seems like they are still keen to get to as much tennis as possible, but are rather content with their position as fans rather than players.
Williams’ numerous appearances throughout the week at the Miami Open were indicative of this, laughing and joking with players pre-match.
She has been pictured speaking to both Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov across the last few days, and this latest message, sent to compatriot Collins, details a friendship that has likely spanned years.
It is great to see players like Williams and Federer really enjoy their time away from the sport that gave them everything, and in return, they gave it all they had.
It is for these reasons that they will never be forgotten, as two of the most legendary figures in tennis history. They will always be a welcome sight in the stands of a big match.
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