MONTREAL, QC, CANADA – Gone but not forgotten. Before the actual tennis begins at the impressive Complexe Sportif Claude Bobillard in Montreal, the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II tie between Canada and Serbia will take a moment to recognize the very heart and soul of this Canadian women’s program.

Rene Simpson Collins, who served her country proudly for 11 years as a player in Fed Cup and nine years as coach or captain, passed away in October after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was only 47.

As the country gathers to show their pride during these Sochi Olympics, I am reminded of the unwavering patriotism Collins displayed during her two decades with the sport of tennis. There may have been better players who donned the Maple Leaf during her career, but none showed more pride to represent Canada than Collins, an Olympian herself in 1992.

Canada’s greatest Fed Cup accomplishment came during Collins’ rookie season in 1988, when they advanced to the semifinals, losing to eventual champions Czechoslovakia. She owned an overall record of 32-9 as captain, with her best year coming in 2006 when Canada reached World Group II status and ranked an all-time best No. 10 in the world a year later. 

Armed with one of the fastest-rising players on tour in local girl Eugene Bouchard, the Canadian squad, ranked No. 14 in the world, is looking to work through the World Group II bracket and join the elite eight, starting with this weekend’s tie against a depleted Serbian squad.

Current team captain, Sylvain Bruneau, who was with Collins courtside for years with Tennis Canada, identifies the significance she has on the Canadian game.

“Rene was the ultimate fan of Fed Cup. She played Fed Cup, was a coach at Fed Cup, and she was our captain. She was the biggest fan of Canadian tennis and the biggest fan of our girls in general.”

There has been great commitment from Canadian athletes to participate in Fed Cup, a competition that at times, seems to compete against the pro circuit, despite efforts from both the ITF and WTA Tour. Collins, to her credit, never had an issue with getting the best Canucks to play for their country. The reason? Passion – an attribute that she passed along to well-respected Bruneau.

“Sylvain coaches with a lot of heart just like Rene,” said Aleksandra Wozniak, the 26-year-old veteran who will play in the opening rubber for Canada against Serbian Vesna Dolonc. “She was my first captain and is really missed - so much heart.”

If Collins were a player in the NHL hockey league, she would have been a forechecker and fan favorite. As a tennis player, she was gritty, a hard worker who demanded excellence. That determination helped Collins reach No. 70 in singles and No. 32 in doubles. When she retired in 1998 and quickly joined the national coaching ranks, Collins carried those same expectations to her athletes. It is why, at times, Canada has played beyond its rankings.

I was fortunate to work with Collins on multiple occasions during my five years with Tennis Canada. When she wore that national team jacket, her face would light up and her unique competitive spirit would shine as bright as her contagious smile. One moment she would be in a player’s face demanding maximum effort, and the next she would be embracing her team as if they were her own children. Not one who enjoyed the spotlight, Collins would immediately direct any attention to the players on the court.

The national governing body will announce Saturday the creation of the Rene Simpson Collins Award, to be given yearly to someone who most symbolizes the characteristics of Collins - promise, determination, courage, and pride.

The girls on this Canadian Fed Cup squad, all of whom have played for Collins at some point in their career, also show a remarkable amount of love and respect for Bruneau, the obvious successor. It is a bond that started with Collins and exists today, thanks to her spirit, stronger than ever.

“We miss her a lot,” said Bruneau. “[The ceremony] tomorrow will be very special. It’s the right thing to do, the beautiful thing to do. Personally, I think about Rene all of the time.”

Michael Cvitkovic served as head of communications and media relations for Tennis Canada and Rogers Cup Toronto from 2006-2011 and served as an Olympic tennis analyst for CBC at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

(Photo credit: Tennis Canada)