She is the lowest-ranked woman to ever win the Miami Open in tennis history

Martina Navratilova became the first American woman to win the Miami Open in 1985, starting a tradition of success that has continued over the years.

Nearly four decades later, Danielle Collins added her name to that list by winning her first Miami Open title.

The American, who reached the Australian Open final in 2022, beat Elena Rybakina to claim victory in the 2024 event.

This remains Collins’ only WTA 1000 title. She also has two other singles trophies on the WTA Tour from three appearances in finals outside of the top-tier events.

The Miami Open wasn’t just another trophy for Collins – it marked a bit of history as well.

Danielle Collins’ unexpected run to the Miami Open title

Collins wasn’t among the favourites heading into the 2024 Miami Open, especially as an unseeded player.

She started her campaign with a win over lucky loser Bernada Pera, then took down 30th seed Anastasia Potapova.

Collins continued her run by beating Elina Avanesyan and Sorana Cirstea, before a quarter-final win over former WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia.

The American then knocked out Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-2, before defeating two-time Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina in the final, 7-5, 6-3.

By defeating Rybakina, the then-world number 53 became the lowest-ranked women’s singles champion in Miami Open history.

The then world number 53 made history by becoming the lowest-ranked women’s singles winner ever at the tournament. Speaking after her title win, Collins reflected on what it meant to her:

“Yeah, I mean, what a dream come true to have played at the level that I have played consistently over the last two weeks. This has been such a journey for me.”

“You know this was my first final of my first WTA event and it’s been a different journey than I think a lot of people are familiar with.”

Danielle Collins has stepped away from tennis but hasn’t officially retired

While Collins initially announced plans to retire in 2024, she later pushed back those plans, citing challenges related to fertility and endometriosis.

Since then, she’s started to carve out a new path in tennis media, quickly becoming a regular face on the Tennis Channel.

The former world number seven contributed to the network’s Australian Open coverage and is expected to return for their Miami Open team as well.

At 32, Collins hasn’t set a date for her comeback or formally closed the door on her playing career. But for now, her focus seems firmly on broadcasting rather than competition.

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