Tennis

Danielle Collins and Madison Keys, two American tennis stars, will face off in the final of the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Saturday. Their friendship, which began nearly two decades ago, has stood the test of time.Collins and Keys first met as 10-year-olds at the Evert Tennis Academy in Florida. Despite living on opposite ends of the state, they became pen pals, exchanging letters that fostered a bond that continues to this day."Our moms are both from Iowa, so they bonded over that at the junior tournaments," Collins revealed. "I've known Maddie a long time, and [she's] a good friend. I'm excited to play her here and have some fun tomorrow."The two have played twice before as professionals, each winning once. However, their last encounter was four years ago. This match holds significance for both players: Keys will be playing in her first red clay final since 2016, while Collins is seeking her third title in the last two months.Neither player has lost a set in the tournament so far. A victory for either would make them the first American champion at Strasbourg since Jennifer Capriati in 1999.

Danielle Collins' remarkable run of form continued on Thursday as she stormed past Clara Burel of France 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the WTA 500 clay court event in Strasbourg. This latest victory marks Collins' 21st win in her last 23 matches, propelling her back into the Top 10 of the WTA rankings.Collins' meteoric rise up the rankings over the past three-and-a-half months has been nothing short of astonishing. After starting the year at No. 71, she has steadily climbed to her current position of No. 12, and is now projected to return to the Top 10 when the new rankings are released after the tournament.The American's impressive ranking rise is a testament to her consistent performances throughout the season. She began her ascent with a second-round finish in Abu Dhabi in February, followed by a quarterfinal appearance in Doha. Her breakthrough came at the Miami Open, where she claimed the title, followed by another victory in Charleston. She then reached the semifinals in Rome, further solidifying her position among the world's elite.Collins' return to the Top 10 is a significant milestone in her career. She previously spent 19 weeks in the elite group in 2022, including one week at No. 10 after reaching the Australian Open final. Her current ranking of No. 12 is just one spot below her career-high of No. 7, which she achieved in July 2022.With the French Open just around the corner, Collins will be looking to continue her impressive form and make a deep run at Roland Garros. The two weeks of the tournament will mark her 20th and 21st career weeks in the Top 10, a testament to her hard work and dedication.

The Internazionali BNL d'Italia witnessed a mixed bag of results for American tennis hopefuls on Sunday. While Danielle Collins and Taylor Fritz emerged victorious, Ben Shelton and Sofia Kenin faced setbacks.Collins continued her impressive form, dispatching Caroline Garcia in straight sets (6-3, 6-3). The 13th seed capitalized on five of six break points, extending her winning streak against the Frenchwoman to 10-0 in sets. Collins will now face Irina-Camelia Begu in the round of 16, aiming for her first WTA 1000 clay-court quarterfinal.Fritz also secured a comfortable victory, defeating compatriot Sebastian Korda (6-3, 6-4). The No. 11 seed has now won nine of 11 matches on red dirt this season. He will next face Grigor Dimitrov, who overcame Terence Atmane in straight sets.However, Shelton's run in Rome came to an end as he was defeated by Zhang Zhizhen (6-2, 6-4). The Chinese No. 1 advanced to the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the third time. He will now face Thiago Monteiro in the round of 16.Kenin, who had upset Ons Jabeur in the previous round, was unable to maintain her momentum. She was edged out by qualifier Rebecca Sramkova in a three-set battle (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).

Danielle Collins, the world No. 15 tennis player, is embarking on her final season on tour before retiring to start a family. Despite her recent success, including back-to-back titles in Miami and Charleston, Collins remains firm in her decision.Collins' decision stems from her well-documented health struggles and her desire to prioritize her personal life. She has faced challenges with dairy intolerance, which has limited her dietary options in Rome.Despite her retirement announcement, Collins has continued to play at a high level, reaching the second week of numerous Grand Slams and capturing two titles this season. She attributes her success to significant improvements in her serve, return, and consistency.Collins dismisses suggestions that she is benefiting from the adrenaline of her "last lap." Instead, she emphasizes her dedication to training and her desire to make the most of her remaining time on tour.Beyond tennis, Collins is preparing for a marathon next year and plans to establish a foundation dedicated to supporting women's health and equity. She believes that her experiences with health challenges have given her a unique perspective and a desire to help others.Collins' retirement decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans and commentators have expressed disappointment, while others have praised her for prioritizing her personal well-being.However, Collins remains unfazed by the criticism. She believes that her decision is the right one for her and that she will continue to pursue her passions both on and off the court.

Danielle Collins, the 2022 Australian Open finalist, has signed a one-year deal with FP Movement, the activewear line from American clothing retailer Free People. This partnership marks the end of Collins' sponsorship hiatus since her New Balance contract expired in late 2021.FP Movement will provide Collins with on- and off-court activewear for the remainder of 2024. The brand had previously hinted at their collaboration with Collins in March, congratulating her on her first WTA 1000 title at the Miami Open.Collins expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating that FP Movement's blend of fashion and functionality aligns perfectly with her style. She credited the brand for her career-best form in 2024, jokingly attributing her Miami Open victory to a better outfit.Collins' favorite FP Movement pieces include the Free Throw Tank and Volley Skirt, which she wore during her 15-match winning streak that culminated in titles in Miami and Charleston. She also praised the Never Better collection for off-court workouts.FP Movement's wide range of styles and colors allows Collins to express her personal style both on and off the court. She teased new colorways and styles coming later this year, including skorts, dresses, and onesies.Collins is joining fellow Americans Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens as ambassadors for FP Movement. The brand's commitment to court sports is evident in its growing assortment, and Collins is thrilled to be a part of its evolution.

Danielle Collins' impressive 15-match winning streak came to an abrupt end at the Mutua Madrid Open, as defending champion Aryna Sabalenka rallied from a set down to secure a hard-fought 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.The match, which concluded well past midnight Tuesday, saw Collins come within a point of serving for the match in the second set. However, Sabalenka's resilience shone through as she saved two break points and held her serve.The momentum shifted dramatically in Sabalenka's favor after that crucial hold. The world No. 2 seed reeled off six consecutive games, breaking Collins' serve twice in the process. Collins managed to break back once, but it was too little too late.Sabalenka's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with Mirra Andreeva, who upset reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the previous round. Sabalenka will be aiming to lift her third trophy at the WTA 1000 event in four years.The Belarusian star is also in contention to retain her No. 2 ranking in the WTA standings. She needs to reach the final to prevent Coco Gauff from overtaking her.Collins' defeat marks her first loss since the second round of Indian Wells, where she was defeated by Iga Swiatek. Despite the setback, Collins has enjoyed a remarkable season, winning titles in Miami and Charleston as an unseeded entrant.

Danielle Collins' remarkable winning streak continues unabated as she notched her 15th consecutive victory at the Mutua Madrid Open. The American star overcame a spirited challenge from Jaqueline Cristian, prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a thrilling third-round encounter.Collins' triumph marks her second consecutive come-from-behind victory in Madrid. In her opening match, she rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Olga Danilovic in a marathon three-setter. Her resilience and determination have been key factors in her impressive run of form.The 28-year-old's winning streak began with back-to-back titles in Miami and Charleston, where she dominated on both hard and green clay surfaces. Her adaptability and versatility have made her a formidable opponent on any court.Collins' victory over Cristian was a testament to her mental fortitude and unwavering belief. After dropping the first set, she regrouped and seized control of the match with her aggressive baseline play and powerful serve. Her ability to dictate the tempo and force errors from her opponent proved decisive.The American's success in Madrid is a continuation of her impressive season. She reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and has consistently performed at a high level throughout the year. Her current winning streak has propelled her to the top of the WTA rankings, where she is now ranked No. 8.Collins' next challenge will be a quarterfinal clash against either Ons Jabeur or Belinda Bencic. With her confidence soaring and her game in top form, she will be a formidable opponent for any player who stands in her way.

Danielle Collins' winning streak continues unabated as she triumphs in Madrid opener.After claiming back-to-back titles in Miami and Charleston, Danielle Collins has extended her remarkable winning streak to 14 matches with a hard-fought victory over Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic in her opening match at the Madrid Open.Collins, who has now won on three different surfaces during her streak, battled back from a set and a break down to defeat Danilovic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8) on Friday. The American has now won 28 of her last 30 sets, a testament to her exceptional form.Danilovic managed to snatch a rare set from Collins, but the American's resilience and determination proved too much to overcome. Collins has only dropped two sets since losing the first set of her Miami opener to Bernarda Pera.The last player to defeat Collins was world number one Iga Swiatek in the second round of Indian Wells. Since then, Collins has been unstoppable, showcasing her all-court prowess and unwavering focus.

Danielle Collins' farewell tour has reached its peak at the Miami Open, where the American has stormed into her first WTA 1000 final. Collins' impressive run continued with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova, setting up a championship clash with 2023 finalist Elena Rybakina.Collins' announcement that 2024 would be her final season has been followed by some of her best tennis. The unseeded American has dismissed three seeds en route to the semis, including former world No. 4 Caroline Garcia. Against Alexandrova, Collins' unyielding determination and tactical brilliance proved too much for the Russian.Alexandrova, who had stunned world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula, was unable to match Collins' consistency and precision. Collins broke serve twice in the opening set, forcing Alexandrova into errors. The second set was even more one-sided, as Collins opened with another break and powered to victory with a total of 21 winners to 17 unforced errors.Collins' victory marks her biggest final since the 2022 Australian Open, where she finished runner-up to Ashleigh Barty. She will now face No. 4 seed Rybakina, who leads their head-to-head record 3-1. Collins' lone win over the Kazakh came in their first meeting in San Jose in 2021.Collins' success in Miami is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite announcing her retirement, she has played with renewed vigor and focus. Her ability to overcome adversity and perform at her best under pressure is a testament to her character and unwavering spirit.