European ambience a challenge for Collins

Daniele Collins admitted that she has her troubles adjusting to the six-hour time gap between Europe and Florida as the American progresses to the fourth round of the Rome Masters.

The No. 35 who played a 2024 semi-final at the Foro Italico, stunned longtime dominator Iga Swiatek – a three-time champion here – 6-1, 7-5 on Saturday but said she is still out of sorts due to the clock changes across the Atlantic.

“Coming over to Europe is one of the most difficult places to get adjusted with the time,” the 3-year-old said. 

“I almost think going to Australia (adjustment) is just faster, which is so weird because the time change is so much more extreme. 

“But for some reason in Europe the six-hour time change is just awkward enough to where it can really throw me off.”

Her solution?  “I always have to give myself a little bit extra time to just get acclimated to my sleep, have a few days of really crappy sleep, a few days getting my feet under AND not feeling jet lagged.”

The player whose upset win will send former No. 1 Swiatek out of the ranking top three for the first time since March, 2022 — 1161 days – said that  she had expected more support from the public for Poland’s Swiatek.

“I was playing someone from Europe, so I think naturally there would be a few more fans that are here to support Iga – that’s fair.

“I think it just kind of helped raise the intensity from both sides, which was great to see. It was a fun environment to play in overall, honestly.

“My priority today was to be consistent with the shots. I play a pretty aggressive

game style.. sometimes that can go one way or another. 

“It can look really great and flashy, and other times you can  miss some shots.

“But having the confidence and trusting myself in those big moments to go after it, to trust my athleticism and to really, yeah, just like not be afraid to go after my shots in those big moments was key.”

Main photo:- Danielle Collins won Miami in 2024 – by ISF Ltd