WATCH: Danielle Collins overwhelmed with emotion after beating Elena Rybakina to triumph at Miami Open 2024 in her retirement year

In her final year, Danielle Collins achieved the greatest accomplishment of her career by defeating Elena Rybakina in the final of the 2024 Miami Open.

Collins arrived at the title match in Miami with exceptional form and faced off against last year’s runner-up, Elena Rybakina, on March 30. Throughout the match, the American appeared to be one step ahead of the World No. 4. In the first set, both players successfully defended numerous break points on their serves before Collins ultimately broke Rybakina at 6-5, gaining the crucial advantage.

At age 30, Collins was able to secure two breaks against Rybakina in the second set, ultimately winning the match 7-5, 6-3 and becoming the champion of her first WTA 1000 title in her home state. Despite Rybakina’s numerous chances to regain control, Collins impressively saved 10 out of 11 breakpoints on her serve, preventing the Kazakh from making a comeback.

As the championship point rally came to an end, Danielle Collins was overcome with emotion. She proceeded to shake hands with Rybakina and then basked in the cheers from the enthusiastic home crowd at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Collins lost only one set throughout her journey to win the Miami Open. Despite falling behind in the first set, she managed to overcome her fellow American Bernarda Pera in the first round, and then proceeded to dominate her matches against Anastasia Potapova, Elina Avanesyan, Sorana Cirstea, Caroline Garcia, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Rybakina, ultimately securing the championship title.

Danielle Collins earns third tour-level title at Miami Open

In her career, Danielle Collins has won three WTA Tour-level tournaments, including the 2024 Miami Open. Her other two titles were achieved in 2021, when she emerged victorious at the Palermo Ladies Open and, most notably, the Silicon Valley Classic.

Collins, who was the top seed at the WTA 250 Palermo Ladies Open, swept through the competition without losing a single set. She emerged victorious against Katharina Gerlach, Madison Inglis, Astra Sharma, Zhang Shuai, and Elena Gabriela-Ruse.

Danielle Collins, seeded seventh, dominated her way to victory at the WTA 500 Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, defeating top players such as Shelby Rogers, Sloane Stephens, Elena Rybakina, Ana Konjuh, and Daria Kasatkina. She continued her winning streak at the prestigious 2022 Australian Open, making it to the final match.

At the 2022 Australian Open, Collins entered as the No. 27 seed and claimed victories over Caroline Dolehide, Ana Konjuh, Clara Tauson, Elise Mertens, Alize Cornet, and Iga Swiatek before ultimately falling to top-seeded Ashleigh Barty in the championship match. Additionally, Collins has a WTA Tour doubles title under her belt, having won the Charleston Open with partner Desirae Krawczyk.