‘Growing Up Idolising Venus and Serena Williams’: Danielle Collins on Becoming the Top-Ranked American Player

American tennis star Danielle Collins has impressed one and all with her performance at the Australian Open 2022. She is the top-ranked American player (across the ATP and WTA Tours) at the moment and the new World No. 10 player.

After accomplishing this great honor, Collins reflected on the prospect of being the new America No. 1 player. Right from her childhood until now, she has been inspired by American superstars Venus and Serena Williams. 

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Danielle Collins has been influenced by Serena and Venus Williams

To be able to be in the same position at the moment, as the great sisters have been so many times in the past must be an amazing feeling. Collins did not have any sponsor during the first Grand Slam event of the season this year. 

Speaking on her latest accomplishment, Danielle stated, “It means a lot to me. Especially growing up idolizing Venus and Serena Williams and them being the leaders of our sport in our country, especially for the last, I don’t know, 20 years almost. To be the top-ranked American now means so much to me.”

Danielle still cannot digest the development. It’s a dream for any athlete to be a top-ranked player and to be able to live this dream is a surreal feeling. She is still speechless and not used to being in this position. 

The 28-year-old added, “It’s something that I think everybody dreams of, for people that want to be professional tennis players. But to be able to accomplish this means the world to me. I’m kind of at a loss of words and almost uncomfortable thinking about it.”

The American tennis star was most recently seen in Melbourne and reached the final of the Australian Open 2022. In the second set of the final, she put up a tough fight but eventually succumbed to the favorite and top-seed, Ashleigh Barty. 

Due to her reaching the final, she climbed the rankings on the WTA circuit. It will be interesting to see how she performs during the clay season.

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