Remember when Danielle Collins shot back at hecklers during the AO? “You know, I was thinking during the match, I was like, ‘Hmm, if I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat paycheck, she said. And, she didn’t stop there! Last month, she took her signature sass off the court, teasing a merch drop with an IG post featuring a bold “Play Tennis. Cash Checks. Repeat.” t-shirt. And just when you thought she was done, Collins struck again! After her first round win at the Charleston Open, the American powerhouse shared a fresh twist on her mantra: one that perfectly sums up her unapologetic approach to the sport. So, what’s her latest sassy motto? 

Defending champion and current 7th seed, Danielle Collins, wasted no time asserting her dominance at the Credit One Charleston Open. She cruised past fellow American Robin Montgomery, 6-3, 6-1, in just 1 hour and 9 minutes, marking her seventh straight victory in Charleston.

Danimal, who has lifted the trophy at Charleston for the past two years, looks well on track for a potential 3-peat after a commanding start on April 1 at Credit One Stadium. As she marches toward the R16, she’s also embracing a new life motto. And this time, it involves a special new member of her family she found during the Miami Open. 

Speaking with the Tennis Channel after her win against Montgomery, Collins said, “You know my motto has gone from like… with my merchandise drop…it has gone to like play tennis, cash checks, rescue animals and give them the bourgeois lifestyle, that’s my new motto. We need some new merchandise, we’re going to work on it.”

She continued, “I mean, I am sure that will take a lot of people by surprise, but I’ve always wanted to have my own firm, and now I have started with 7 chickens that are so sweet. They are very similar to the dogs you know. They would have tried to get on my car before I left home for Miami. They are so funny. And just learning about them, taking care of them.” 

Danielle Collins, one of the WTA Tour’s biggest animal lovers, had her heart stolen during the Miami Open. On her way home from Hard Rock Stadium, she spotted a helpless pup curled up on the road. Without hesitation, the 31-year-old rushed him to a veterinary hospital, vowing to adopt him if he survived.

After emergency surgery, 5 days on oxygen therapy, and an outpouring of love from fans, the WTA ace shared the joyful news that the pup was discharged and officially part of her family! She even named her Crash and posted a heartfelt update on IG, celebrating her newest four-legged companion.

But while Danimal embraces her off-court passions, she has also made a bold comeback with her first-round win over Robin Montgomery, rebounding from a disappointing Miami Open.

“Giving myself room to breathe” —Collins after her opening-round win at the Charleston Open

Danielle Collins kept her Charleston Open winning streak alive on Tuesday, delivering a commanding performance against the fellow American Robin Montgomery. The defending champion won 80 percent of her first-serve points and didn’t face a single break point, proving why she remains a force on these courts.

Collins’ title run here last year was part of an impressive 15-match winning streak, which propelled her back into the WTA top 10 ranks by season’s end. Her triumph at the 2024 Charleston Open also marked her first WTA 500 title, coming just a week after she lifted her maiden WTA 1000 trophy in Miami.

With another confident win at Charleston under her belt now, Collins took a moment after the match to reflect on her opening-round victory: sharing her thoughts on what it means to be back in Charleston and chasing another title. “I’m most happy with my mindset, and just being relentless. Going after my shots, not getting too down on myself after mistakes, and just giving myself room to breathe,” the 31-year-old said.

After her dominant straight-set victory in the opening round, Collins is set to face the winner of the match between the 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko and American qualifier Louisa Chirico in the next round. With such an emphatic start, do you think Danimal is on track for her third Charleston Open title?