“It’s a goal of mine to be able to play on Centre Court,” Danielle Collins has declared. Well, following her current trend at Wimbledon, her dream might soon come true! Fueled with a hunger for more titles and success, Collins is back on track to take the tennis world by storm in London! With her aggressive playing style, who is going to stop her from achieving more? Probably none! Former World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport agrees too, as she shared her thoughts on Danimal!
Sharing their opinions in the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, both appreciated Collins, who is soon going to perform against Barbora Krejcikova in the Round of 16 match. Discussing the inevitable rise of Collins, Davenport and Jim Courier displayed their faith in the American’s winning streak in London. “She has absolutely grinded the entire spring….we know when she is playing her best tennis…she can beat anyone,” said the former World No. 1, Davenport, who won Wimbledon in 1999.
Chiming in to add his thoughts, Courier stated, “She has also been healthy, which has been such a big challenge for her over the course of her career. So she’s got that. So she says that she’s also using all of her experience; she feels better about her game plans out there.” Danielle Collins might be retiring after this season, but until then, she is not ready to lie low in the tennis world.
The 30-year-old American player’s retirement gift to herself is probably winning multiple titles in the same season, be it the Miami Open or the Charleston Open. Will she be able to replicate the same at Wimbledon? After all, with World No. 2, Coco Gauff’s unexpected exit, fans are now betting on Collins to bring the trophy to America. And with her current form, it does not seem impossible.
In this season, the former World No. 7 has not only climbed up the rankings (from No. 75 to top 11) but has also shown her career’s best performance before stepping away. “I try to keep everyone as entertained as possible,” Collins, who will soon retire due to endometriosis and Rheumatoid arthritis, once said. True to her words, Collins, who soon wants to be a mother, is indeed stealing the hearts of her fans worldwide! Not only fans, but tennis experts like Davenport and Courier are not immune to the “Danimal” energy as well!
“But most players that I can speak from my own lens, when you feel the end is near then it becomes a little more nostalgic and you look around and then go I might miss this place, I might not be back here. She is showing none of that,” the former World No. 1, Courier said. Danielle has no plans to stop, as she has yet to tick off one of her top wishes at a Grand Slam!
“I wear my emotions and I wear my heart on my sleeve and I am someone who is not afraid to be myself,” Collins’ aura is infectious at Wimbledon! Despite being near top 10(No. 11), Collins’ decision to quit tennis still remains firm. But that does not prevent her from showing her best results, especially in a Grand Slam. She defeated No. 66 Clara Tauson 6-3, 7-6(4) in the opening round. Her winning ways continued in the second round, where she dispatched qualifier Dalma Galfi 6-3, 6-4. Now, she sets her sights on a meeting with Haddad Maia. The 2022 Australian Open quarterfinalist, poured her heart out after winning against Haddad Maia.
“I’ve gone far in other slams, but I haven’t gone far here. So right now, I’m really excited about having some more success here…So I am just trying to ride this thing out until I can play on Centre Court.” Furthermore, Collins also talked about her future endeavors, stating that being able to “compartmentalize” and build “focus” is the key to achieving greater heights as an athlete.
Danielle Collins, who is soon going to be at the Olympics, has her goals set at Wimbledon. As she moves forward, Davenport’s “she can beat anyone” phrase will continue to echo in the tennis world!
