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Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva says Danielle Collins is a character but still very chill off the court and pretty good for hanging out. In Madrid, Putintseva and Collins made their debut as a doubles duo. In their first match together, Putintseva and Collins suffered a straight-set defeat to Karolina Muchova and Karolina Pliskova.
After Madrid, Putintseva and Collins also signed up to play doubles in Rome but again picked up a first round exit as on Tuesday they lost to Jelena Ostapenko and Pliskova. "I love her," Putintseva told WTA insider. "She's a character.
She's also pretty tough on the court but chill outside the court. We went for dinner a couple times, she's very funny. In doubles we're both there to have fun and bring our fire."
Putintseva on her personality
On the court, Putintseva is very serious and means bussiness.
Off the court, Putintseva is the total opposite. "I'm like a gangster on court, but like an angel off court," Putintseva said. Putintseva has made a pretty solid career for herself on the Tour as she has two titles and she was once ranked at No.
27 in the world. Growing up, Putintseva was doubted but she went out and made a name for herself on the Tour. "Everything motivates me," Putintseva noted. "I want to show everyone. In the beginning of my career, for sure in Russia it was pretty tough.
They were saying I'm too short, too pushy, too this, too that. Well, look at me right now. "But I don't think about them. I just feel sorry for the kids who are young and talented but short, and they don't have someone who believes in them.
I think it's important to realise it doesn't matter if you're short, tall, big, small, you can do good. You have to use your good sides and you can be really good." Putintseva, ranked at No. 40 in the world, beat Kaja Juvan in her Rome singles opener. She plays Garbine Muguruza next.