Finally Winning the Miami Open: Danielle Collins Secures Victory on Her Last Attempt

In Miami Gardens, Florida, Danielle Collins won the Miami Open title in her final tournament before retiring due to endometriosis. In a dramatic match against Elena Rybakina, Collins emerged victorious, expressing gratitude to her fans and emotional appreciation for their support. Animated and determined throughout the match, Collins claimed her third career title and became the lowest-ranked women’s champion at Miami. Her impending retirement motivated her to aim for more titles, and she credited her success to feeling centered and focused during the tournament.

Collins saved 10 out of 11 break points she faced, while Rybakina struggled physically after playing four previous three-set matches in the tournament. The Kazakh player acknowledged Collins’ aggressive playstyle and admitted to not being at her best physically. In a tense first set, Collins secured the lead as Rybakina nervously made crucial errors. Breaking at 4-4 in the second set, Collins eventually served for the match, facing challenges from Rybakina but ultimately sealing the victory on her fourth match point. Despite the pressure, Collins expressed her determination to not disappoint the crowd as they cheered her on.

The American player reflected on the significance of having tennis legends Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova in attendance, with Agassi being a childhood idol of hers. Collins also spoke about the joy of celebrating her victory with family and friends who had traveled to support her. With a night of festivities ahead, Collins looked forward to enjoying Miami and taking a break from the intensity of the tournament atmosphere. Meanwhile, on the men’s side, the final would feature Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner against surprise contender Grigor Dimitrov, with Serena Williams showing support for Dimitrov after building a friendship with him on the tour.

Dimitrov, who defeated notable players like Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, would enter the top 10 rankings for the first time since 2018. His close bond with Serena Williams was highlighted, with the tennis legend considering him as a little brother. The men’s doubles final saw top-seeded Rohan Bopanna and Matt Ebden emerging victorious over Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek in a competitive match that concluded with a 10-point tiebreaker. The presence of top players, retired legends, and rising talents added to the excitement and camaraderie of the Miami Open, showcasing the passion and sportsmanship that define the tennis community.