A St. Petersburg native is taking one of the biggest stages in sports this weekend, with an opportunity to lay claim to yet another title for Tampa Bay. Danielle Collins, the top-ranked American women’s tennis player and a native of St. Pete, has made a surprise run to the finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

In Thursday’s semi-final matchup, 27th-ranked Collins took down 7th-ranked Iga Swiatek in a stunningly decisive 6-4, 6-1 victory. Her reward for such an impressive performance? Facing off against the world’s top player and native Australian Ashleigh Barty on her home turf this Saturday. With a 3:30 am EST start time, Collins’ match will have already been decided by the time most of her hometown has woken up for the day, but there will be at least a few more folks than usual in St. Pete waking up well before dawn this Saturday.

Collins, born in St. Pete in 1993, was raised in the Sunshine City and started playing tennis on St. Pete’s public courts as early as the age of three, according to her WTA bio. Her rise in the sport has been somewhat of an unlikely one; not because of her skill set, but because of the unusual path and the relatively “late” appearance at the top.

Collins took non-traditional road to the top

Out of high school, Collins was a respected player, but not quite enough to go straight to the pros. After a year at the University of Florida, she transferred to the University of Virginia, where she ended up winning two NCAA singles titles. Upon graduation, she began competing professionally full time.

The singles star slowly worked her way up the ranks, earning her way into a Top 50 international ranking by 2018 and reaching a career high 23rd in 2019. Unfortunately, medical issues sidelined the budding star in 2020 just as she had built momentum. Back in action now, Collins has notched two notable tournament victories over the last year, taking home the 2021 Palermo Open and the 2021 Silicon Classic.

Throughout her career, Collins has dealt with injuries, setbacks, surgeries and great performances followed up only by frustration. But now, finally at full health and seemingly playing the best tennis of her career, the St. Pete native is poised to become America’s next big star in the game. Through her performance in Melbourne, she’s asserted herself to be a player not just in the States, but on the international stage of women’s tennis.

Saturday’s Australian Open finals match will air on ESPN, and can also be streamed on ESPN+. Replays will later air on The Tennis Channel.

What to read next:

• Star Trolley launches haunted history, food, and Valentine’s Day tours in St. Pete
• Alsace French Bistro’s “homestyle cooking” will bring you back to grandma’s kitchen
• Social Roost brings some of the Bay’s best brunch to DTSP
• Massive new park project opening soon in Historic Uptown of St. Pete