Danielle Collins Thanks Parents After Stunning Iga Swiatek in Rome

After delivering one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 Italian Open, Danielle Collins took a moment to reflect not on the match itself, but on the long and arduous journey that brought her to this stage. 

After toppling the defending champion, Iga Swiatek, in Rome 6-1, 7-5 — Collins opened up about the sacrifices of her parents and grit that have defined her path to the top of women’s tennis.

“I think it shaped me so much, coming from a pretty humble beginning,” said Collins. “I think it's hard getting into tennis,” she added.

“Tennis is an expensive sport, and my parents did everything for me. They were working double jobs, extra hours to be able to afford this. And, you know, to be able to come out here and live out my dream- you know I was never a child prodigy, I had an unconventional route, but that hard work and perseverance is really made me into the person that I am,” she said.