Danielle Collins had a special goodbye at her last Miami Open match, defeating Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday to win the title in her home state with supportive fans like Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova watching.
The 30-year-old Collins had announced earlier at the Australian Open that she would retire due to endometriosis, a painful condition affecting her uterus.
She won the final point with a backhand crosscourt winner but seemed exhausted, needing a moment to catch her breath.
Collins was emotional during the trophy ceremony, expressing gratitude to the fans for their support.
Ranked 53rd and not seeded, Collins showed great energy throughout the match, cheered on by the crowd, which included a big American flag. Rybakina struggled with errors, while Collins played confidently.
This victory, earning her $1.1 million in prize money, was Collins’ third career title and her first at a Masters 1000-level event. It also boosted her ranking to 22nd.
Knowing her career is coming to an end, Collins feels motivated to win more titles, calling this tournament her most focused performance.
Having Andre Agassi watch her match was a special moment for Collins, who admired him as a player.
Collins saved 10 out of 11 break points she faced, while Rybakina felt the strain of previous three-set matches in the tournament.
