Danielle Collins, a former Australian Open finalist, lauded Elena Rybakina's exceptional serving in the 2026 women's final against Aryna Sabalenka. The American, now ranked No. 77, shared her insights during a podcast after consulting for Tennis Channel in Melbourne. Collins also suggested that Sabalenka could have secured many more grand slam titles by now.
Danielle Collins, who reached the final at the 2022 Australian Open, has been away from competitive play since her first-round defeat by Jacqueline Cristian at the 2025 US Open. Currently ranked world No. 77, the 32-year-old American stepped away from the court to serve as a consultant for Tennis Channel during the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne.
In a recent podcast, Collins reflected on the tournament, highlighting how the early rounds felt lackluster with many one-sided results, withdrawals, and retirements. However, she noted that the final days delivered excitement. She attended the women's final at Melbourne Park courtside, where Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Collins was particularly impressed by Rybakina's performance. "I watched the final between Sabalenka and Rybakina from courtside, and honestly, no ball was left untouched. Both players struck incredibly powerful shots, but Rybakina's serve in the final was on another level," she said. She added, "I had never seen her serve so cleanly throughout an entire tournament. She was stunning."
Turning to Sabalenka, the world No. 1, Collins acknowledged her dominance in majors. Sabalenka often excels in the initial stages, frequently advancing to the semifinals. Yet, Collins pointed out inconsistencies in finals. "She has been the best player during the first 11 or 12 days of many Majors. She almost always reaches the semifinals. But she hasn’t always played her best tennis in finals and has lost her way in several of those high-stakes matches. Honestly, she could easily have already won 7 or 8 Grand Slams by now instead of four," Collins remarked.
These comments, gathered by Tennis Up To Date, underscore Collins' perspective on the top players' potential and the thrilling conclusion to the tournament.