“I just totally blush. I fangirl a little bit,” Danielle Collins can’t hide her excitement at being noticed by idols Venus and Serena Williams as she expresses her sheer gratitude to the WTA icons

Danielle Collins has picked up form at the right time as the American clinches back-to-back Tour titles. She won the 2024 Miami Open and has now followed it with the title at the 2024 Charleston Open.

Collins took on Daria Kasatkina in the finals in Charleston looking for her second career clay title. Her winning streak continued as she dispatched the Russian 6-2, 6-1 to win her fourth career title. Following the win, the 30-year-old fangirled on Venus Williams and Serena Williams owing to their support in the last few days.

She hailed the two greats as her idols growing up. Collins also drew a parallel between their upbringings and the efforts of their parents to ensure they could become professional tennis players. The former Australian Open runner-up credited the sisters for proving that if the efforts are genuine, you are bound to be successful.

Growing up, Serena was my idol. I think the Williams sisters taught all of us it doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter what you look like, your background, or how much money your parents have. If you set your mind to something and work your tail off, anything is possible. 

said Collins, speaking on Tennis Channel.

Collins remembered her parents doing double or, at times, triple shifts to support her training. Having seen the Williams sisters throughout her childhood, the current World No. 15 also felt many of the shots she plays are a ‘byproduct’ of the two greats.

To have their support and for them to be so vocal. I feel so grateful. They’re amazing on and off the court. Every time they say something nice about me I just totally blush. I fangirl a little bit. I gotta admit. If you guys are watching this, I love you guys. So thank you.

added Collins

The win in Charleston extends Collins’ winning streak to 13 matches. In both tournaments, she had no byes and fought her way from the first round to the finals. Also, she dropped a set only once in both the tournaments, showing brilliant dominance across surfaces.

Danielle Collins thanks Emma Navarro and her family for their contribution to the Charleston Open

During her on-court interview, Collins was also humble and respectful towards the tournament organizers and sponsors for putting the tournament together. She, however, gave a special shoutout to her colleague Emma Navarro and her family.

Emma is the daughter of entrepreneur Ben Navarro, owner of the Charleston Open. He took over the tournament’s reins in 2018 but has kept a low profile in the public eye. The same is often reflected in Emma, who has worked diligently to rise in the rankings and hardly shows off her massive wealth.

I obviously have a huge soft spot for the Navarro family… we bleed blue and orange. UVA baby! Emma and I share that camaraderie. Thank you to the Navarro family. I appreciate what you do for women's tennis. We need more people like this behind our sport. So thank you.

said Collins, during her on-court interview

Collins would, however, have to wait for Tour action to resume as the BJK Cup matches will be held over the next week. Regular Tour events begin from 15th April once again where Collins will eye a hat-trick of titles.

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