"I had to keep telling myself, 'Leave those emotions in locker room'" - Danielle Collins on using her fond childhood memories with father to win Miami

Danielle Collins drew inspiration from cherished childhood memories with her father, Walter, as she clinched the biggest title of her career at the 2024 Miami Open before possibly hanging up her racquet this year.

Collins triumphed over last year's runner-up Elena Rybakina in the championship match on March 30 to reign supreme in her home state. She secured the win with a 7-5, 6-3 score, winning nearly 75% of her first-serve points and converting three of her seven break points in a match that lasted just over two hours.

During her victory speech, Danielle Collins recounted how a childhood incident, where her father told her she could only attend the Miami Open if she was going to play there one day, served as a driving force behind her journey to success.

"To the fans, I mean, I have played a lot of tennis and I have played a few finals but nothing close to this," Collins said. "To play in my home state, the tournament that I used to watch on TV as a kid. My dad said like, 'If you are not playing in the tournament, you are not going.' So, I had to work really hard to get here."

The Florida native admitted to feeling emotional before playing in front of her home crowd but had to leave those feelings behind in the locker room to focus on the match.

"To come out here and feel like I am playing in front of my thousands of best friends and everybody that was pushing me to get over this hurdle today just meant the world," Collins said.

"I was getting very emotional and I had to keep telling myself, 'Leave those emotions in the locker room and wait till after the match.' It was an incredible environment. I have never experienced anything like it."

On her way to the final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami, Collins scored wins over the likes of Anastasia Potapova, Elina Avanesyan, Sorana Cirstea, Caroline Garcia, and Ekaterina Alexandrova.

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Danielle Collins after her win over Elena Rybakina: "Hopefully, we will play many more finals"

Danielle Collins (L) and Elena Rybakina

During her victory speech, Danielle Collins praised her opponent Elena Rybakina and acknowledged her growth over the past couple of years. The American also expressed hope for the opportunity to play many more finals with the Kazakhstani in the future.

"To be here, sharing a court with Elena [Rybakina] during the final, see you have had an incredible tournament, an incredible couple of last few years and so well deserved," Collins said.

"It has been incredible seeing you evolve over the years and I am always rooting you on. Hopefully, we will play many more finals," she added.

The final in Miami marked the fifth meeting between Collins and Rybakina on the WTA Tour. Before that, their most recent encounter was in the fourth round of the Abu Dhabi Open earlier this year, where the World No. 4 emerged victorious. Their head-to-head record now stands at 3-2 in Rybakina's favor.