American qualifier Danielle Collins has recorded the biggest victory of her career with a straight sets win over former world No.1 Venus Williams at the Miami Open.
Playing in only her second season as a professional, the 24-year-old charged to a shock 6-2, 6-3, win. Illustrating a level of tennis that exceeded her current ranking of 93rd in the world. Collins never appeared fazed by the significance of playing in her first Premier quarter-final. Hitting a total of 18 winners and capitalising from 28 unforced errors made by Williams.
“I obviously have an incredible amount of respect for Venus, but you kind of have to take the name out of it and just focus on the tennis part and play one point at a time and use your tactics that you come up with your coaches. That’s exactly what I did.” Collins said after the match.
The impact of Collins’ victory is one that has the potential to change her career. It is the first time she had defeated a top 10 player. Furthermore, she is now set to double her career prize money thanks to her Miami performance. She entered the tournament with $305,385 in career earnings and has now won an additional $327,965 thanks to her recent run.
Despite the disappointing loss, 37-year-old Williams praised the performance of her starstruck compatriot. Collins grew up admiring the Williams sisters, saying that they were idols that she could ‘relate to.’
“I don’t think it was my best night of tennis, but, I mean, there wasn’t a shot she couldn’t make. So that was just, you know, of course one of those days.” Said Williams.
“She played very well and aggressively, and she went for every shot and it landed.” She later added.
A journey different to others
Unlike other players on the tour, Collins opted to play college tennis before turning professional. She is a two-time NCAA champion and graduated in 2016 with a degree in media studies. Looking back on her college career, she states that she has no regrets about delaying her professional career.
“I knew when I was going to go to college I was going to finish it out.”
She describes her upbringing as ‘a little bit different.’ Growing up, her family didn’t have enough money to send Collins to a tennis academy or private lessons. Instead, she developed her passion for the sport on public courts playing against random strangers. Sometimes hitting the ball against a wall whilst her mum jogged around the park. To a degree, she admits that she was self taught until she started going to the renowned IMG Academy in Florida at the age of 15.
“I didn’t have an easy upbringing. I didn’t come from a super-wealthy family, and I wasn’t at the country club every day playing in the little tennis camps with the other little kids. A lot of times I was at public courts playing against adults and asking people to play with me. You know, my upbringing was just a little bit different.” She explained.
Does she regret not being able to play in country clubs growing up? Not at all. For Collins, she believes it has enabled her to be more resourceful on the court and appreciate the game more.
“I think it gives me a different perspective. I’m just, like, so grateful every time I go out on the court and get to play another tennis match, because I know it could be so much different.” She said.
“I think when you’re little and you’re having to go up to people and say, Hey, will you hit some balls with me, or, Will you play a practice match with me, it makes you be a little adult in some ways. It makes you grow up.”
Ostapenko awaits
The next challenge for the underdog will be French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian defeated Elina Svitolina 7-6(3), 7-6(5), in her quarter-final match to reach her second Premier Mandatory semifinal after China last year.
“I played Ostapenko a long time ago, so I’m really excited now that we’re kind of grown up to play against each other.” Collins said about the upcoming clash.
“She’s a fighter. She won the French Open. It’s going to be another incredible opportunity for me, and I’m just really looking forward to get out on the court and
having a great match.”
Nearly seven years have gone by since they last played each other. In the first round of the 2011 Eddie Herr Junior International, Ostapenko triumphed in three sets. Not that Collins remembers much about the encounter.
“We were on a clay court. We had a lot of long points. I won the match. So that’s all I can really remember, to be honest.” She admits.
Regardless of the outcome of the semi-final, Collins will break into the world’s top 70 for the first time in her career. She ended 2017 ranked 167th in the world.
