Spectators desired a fairy tale scene at the Miami Open. Danielle Collins, a tennis veterans with roots in St. Petersburg, took home a shock victory in her farewell season. Collins last defeated Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 to win the biggest title of her career.

The tennis star gave an emotional speech after her victory. Here’s a quick quote pulled from Tennis.com following the Miami Open.

Danielle Collins enjoys an emotional victory in Miami

“To play in my home state, at a tournament I used to watch on TV as a kid—my dad said, ‘If you’re not playing in the tournament you’re not going,’ so I had to work really hard to get here. And to come out here and feel like I’m playing in front of thousands of my best friends, and everybody that was pushing me to get over this hurdle today, it just meant the world. I was getting very emotional, and I had to keep telling myself, ‘Leave those emotions in the locker room and wait until after the match!’

This remarkable win adds to her already impressive accolades, making it her third WTA title overall. Previously, she clinched back-to-back victories during the scorching summer of 2021. First, dominating the clay courts at the WTA 250 event in Palermo, then showcasing her skills on the hard courts of San Jose at the WTA 500 tournament. Collins continues to shine bright, representing Tampa with finesse and determination on the global tennis stage.

A shocking triumph in South Florida

Collins is just the second unseeded woman ever to win the Miami Open, after Kim Clijsters, who also won it unseeded in 2005.

At No. 53, she’s also the lowest-ranked woman ever to win the Miami Open, surpassing Clijsters’ ranking of No. 38 in 2005.

And she’s also just the sixth American woman ever to win the event, joining Martina Navratilova (1985), Chris Evert (1986), Venus Williams (1998, 1999 and 2001), Serena Williams (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015) and Sloane Stephens (2018).

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