Charleston Open 2024: Danielle Collins Confesses to Having a ‘Soft Spot’ for 22-Year-Old American Pro

A 22YO tennis star from Charleston, South Carolina, had earlier revealed that she wants to follow in the footsteps of Danielle Collins. Collins has been in a scintillating form this year. After winning the 2024 Miami Open, she has recently secured a thumping victory against Paula Badosa in the first round of the Credit One Charleston Open.

Even this 22-year-old young buck has done exceptionally well at the Indian Wells this year. She came out of nowhere and made the headlines by reaching the QF. Who’s this youngster who took inspiration from Danielle Collins’ journey from a college tennis player to becoming the world number 7? Let’s find out what Danielle Collins thinks about the rapid rise of her 22-year-old American tennis star.

“She’s one of my favorites” – Danielle Collins on Emma Navarro

Well, the youngster is none other than Emma Navarro. Just after her emphatic victory in the first round of the Charleston Open, Danielle Collins appeared in a post-match interview. During the interview, she was asked to reflect a little about her relationship with the American tennis sensation, Emma Navarro. Replying to that question, Collins said she met Navarro before she went to college during a team event where both of them were on the same team. After that, they got to play doubles together at the French Open and have spent a lot of time trying to know more about each other.

Collins added that Emma Navarro could’ve easily turned pro if she had wanted, but instead, the youngster chose the college route. And now she feels incredible with her rapid rise. “Seeing her do so well on tour and dominate, I mean, it just brings so much joy to my life watching Emma kick ass. I love this girl,” Danielle Collins said. The 30-year-old tennis star went on to add, “I’ve got a soft spot for Emma. And she knows I’m always rooting for her, and my little tennis app she’s one of my favorites.“ She feels great to have someone from the same school on the Tour.

Danielle Collins now hopes to play some more doubles matches with Emma Navarro at some point in time. The last time they played together was at the 2023 French Open, where they lost the match by a big margin in the first round of the tournament. So, Collin says, “I have to ask her if she’ll play with me again because I really stunk it up at the French Open. So I hope she’ll forgive me.” But what does Emma Navarro have to say about Danielle Collins?

Navarro says Collins’ journey has been quite inspiring for her

Two years ago, Emma Navarro had revealed that she hoped to follow in the footsteps of her fellow University of Virginia alumnus Danielle Collins after leaving college to completely focus on tennis full time. Danielle Collins has been crowned NCAA singles champion twice and also won the Sports Award for the Nation’s best female tennis player in 2016. So, she has always been an inspiring figure for Emma Navarro.

“She went to college for four years and is now obviously doing amazing things on the tour. I think her journey is pretty cool and it’s definitely inspiring for me,“ Emma Navarro on Danielle Collins. Share your thoughts on the current form of these two American tennis stars.

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