"When Madrid comes around I am back in Danimal mode": Clay in focus for Danielle Collins after short break

Danielle Collins thrashed Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-1 to complete a wonderful two weeks which has seen the American emerge as the must watch WTA player right now winning the Miami Open and Charleston Open back-to-back.

But now it is onto clay and in the immediate future for the 30-year-old, a sort of 'spring break' awaits she admits as she won't play for two weeks now until Madrid. This week, she decided against Billie Jean King Cup. With the American already in a better position for Olympic Games selection, it can be seen why.

She also won't head to Europe early either with the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Rouen taking place next week and instead will return to Florida and getting some quality time with her friends, family and dog Quincy who has emerged as a star of the show. But when she does return in Madrid, an ominous sign as she said she will be ready to unleash 'Danimal' mode once again on the surface.

“I think one of my biggest areas of improvement over the course of the last few weeks has been my concentration and focus and really being locked into my process,” Collins said after winning Charleston, a second WTA 500 title.

“These women that I’m playing against, they’re the best in the world, and it’s — sometimes things go your way and then sometimes things don’t go your way, and you have to be open to that when those times do happen.

“I’m really looking forward to getting home (Bradenton, Fla.) and getting some time to spend where I don’t think about tennis, and then hopefully when Madrid comes around I am back in ‘Danimal’ mode. Then it’s back to reality. So it’s like spring break for me. I feel like a kid at spring break.”