By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday March 23, 2022

Danielle Collins has only played one match since her maiden Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, but despite suffering through a rough patch due to a viral illness, the American is decidedly upbeat about what is possible in 2022.



Collins, who lost to Ash Barty 6-3, 7-6(2) in Melbourne, has plans of cracking the Top-5 this season.

“I want to try to get into the top five this year,” the 11th-ranked 28-year-old told the media in Miami. “I think that's the shorter-term goal, something that can be achievable as long as I'm playing well and healthy. I want to give it my best shot.”

Collins, who made her Top-10 debut for spell this season, says she likes to take it one step at a time.

Collins: Billie Jean King Cup Tie with Ukraine will be Emotional

Collins will be a part of the American team that hosts Team Ukraine in Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers on 15-16 April. She says the competition will be emotional for all.

“After everything they've been dealing with over the last couple weeks, I think it's going to be an emotional battle for us as we really feel for them,” Collins said. “Can't imagine what they're going through personally. Looking forward to going out and representing my country, but also really acknowledging everything that the Ukrainian players have been dealing with over the last couple weeks. It's been heartbreaking to watch and hear about. My heart really goes out for all of them.

Collins says she can’t really imagine what the players are going through.

“I can't imagine doing what they're doing right now, competing, also thinking about their families at home, having family members, brothers, husbands, fathers, that are probably having to go out and battle every day. Yeah, it's a really emotional subject. Yeah, just going to try to embrace the competitive side as much as possible, but it's definitely going to be an emotional competition I think for all of us.”