“I’m definitely in the zone” – ‘Danimal’ Collins continues winning streak to return to top 20

Danielle Collins is on a winning spree!! On Friday, the American, who won the Miami Open title last weekend, won her 11th match in a row to advance to the semi-finals of the WTA Charleston Open.

Collins, a former Australian Open runner-up who has earned the nickname ‘Danimal’ for her fierce on-court personality, joins some elite company – becoming only the fifth American to win 10 matches or more in a row on the WTA Tour. The others – Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams and Serena Williams – were all multiple Grand Slam champions and former world No 1s.

Speaking after her 6-3, 6-4 win over Elise Mertens, Collins, who has confirmed that 2024 will be her final year on tour, said she is in the zone and is happy that she has been able to play so many matches back-to-back after struggling with injuries and the subsequent breaks in earlier years.

I feel like with the way I strike the ball and play, I’m a high achiever, so I always want be trying to aim for doing better and better.

Danielle Collins

“I’m definitely in the zone. I think a lot of it has to do with the focus and concentration. Getting so many matches in the beginning of the year was really great for me,” Collins told the Tennis Channel. “I feel like I’ve done so much training over the course of my life. There’s been seasons where I haven’t gotten to play as many matches, partly because of injuries and the stuff that I live with has held me back at times. So it’s really nice that right now I’m finding my best form and being able to play all of these matches week in and week out and not feel tired. I’m really proud of myself because it’s taken a lot of trial and error and hard work away from the courts.”

Despite falling out of the top 50 earlier this year (as low as No 71 in early February), Collins said she tried to keep a positive perspective on things and will now return to the top 20 in the world next week.

“I feel like there’s so many players at times that drop outside the Top 50 and their level is not really a reflection of where they are with the rankings. I try to tell myself that and keep a positive perspective. Of course, it’s hard,” Collins said. “I feel like with the way I strike the ball and play, I’m a high achiever, so I always want be trying to aim for doing better and better. It’s been a process. I’ve had some tough draws and tough matches. I’ve just had to work through that and learn how to face those opponents early the tournaments—and battle.”

Collins will now look to extend her winning streak to 12 matches when she faces third seed Maria Sakkari in the semi-finals on Saturday.

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