Danielle Collins has opened up about the latest addition to her coaching team after reaching the fourth round of the French Open for the first time in her career on Saturday.
The world No.57 battled back from a 0-3 deficit in the third set to defeat Spain’s Garbine Muguruza 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, after almost two-and-a-half hours of play. It is only the second time the 26-year-old has managed to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam following her run to the semi-finals of the 2019 Australian Open. At Roland Garros Collins hadn’t won back-to-back matches in Paris until this year.
“With all of the challenges this year has presented with COVID, personal struggles, health struggles, whatever it’s been, I’m just really proud of myself for finding a way to have a positive attitude on court and to keep working hard every day and just trying my best,” Collins said following her latest win.
Guiding Collins in Paris this week is recently appointed coach Nicolas Almagro who is working with the American on a trial basis. Almagro, who retired from the Tour in April 2019, has been ranked as high as ninth in the world and has won 13 ATP titles. He has made more than $10 million in prize money during his professional career.
The partnership was formed with the help of Patrick Mouratoglou, who is the current coach of Serena Williams. Collins says she is relishing working with somebody who have previously played as a professional player.
“It’s been awesome. Obviously I was familiar with Nico as a player and having such a successful career,” she said.
“That’s an amazing thing to have in a coach because he knows what I’m going through in these big moments and the pressures that kind of come along with the day-to-day job of being a tennis player.’
“I think this might be the first time I have worked with a coach that has been a top-10 player. I think that’s a really important thing because he knows what it takes to be at that level and that’s something I would like to try to achieve.”
As to what she has been learning from Almagro, Collins said the two discussed her attitude on court and belief in matches. Although she didn’t elaborate any further.
“We’ve only worked with each other for like a week, so I’m still getting to learn a lot. I don’t really want to give away too much of what he’s teaching me because this is a really special experience so I’m just savouring it all.” Collins stated.
The next test for Collins will be a showdown with Ons Jabeur on Monday who is one of only six seeds still remaining in the women’s draw.
