Danielle Collins’ showdown at the Australian Open wasn’t just a battle on the court—it was a full-on spectacle, complete with a feisty crowd, bold comments, and a splash of controversy. The American tennis star, known for her fiery personality, edged out Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava in a three-set thriller, winning 7-6, 4-6, 6-2. But the real drama began after the match.
Collins, clearly unfazed by the jeers from the Australian crowd, didn’t hold back. In her on-court interview, she cupped her hand to her ear, blew kisses to the stands, and even slapped her backside—a gesture that sent social media into a frenzy.
Then came the comments that set the tone for the night: “During the match, I was like, while I’m out here I might as well take that big fat paycheck. We love a five-star vacation, so a big part of that will go towards that.” Cue the boos, but Collins seemed to thrive on the chaos, thanking the audience with an unapologetic smile.
Danielle Collins’ reaction to the crowd after reaching Australian Open R3.
She puts her hands to her ears.
Blowing kisses to silence the Aussie crowd.
The crowd immediately starts booing.
This is peak Danielle Collins 💀
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
This wasn’t a one-off. Collins doubled down in her post-match press conference, taking aim at her hecklers with razor-sharp candor. “The people that don’t like you and hate you, they actually pay your bills,” she said, calling it a “cool concept” and emphasizing that every ticket sold contributes to her career.
And yes, she made it clear that her next paycheck would fund a luxury getaway, complete with yachts and sun-soaked relaxation in the Bahamas. “Me and my girlfriends love a five-star holiday,” she added. “We like boats. Big boats.”
While Collins’ antics delighted some fans, they left others fuming. Social media lit up with criticism, labeling her behavior as “classless” and questioning her sportsmanship. One fan wrote, “Does Danielle Collins not realize she is playing an Australian in Australia? Zero class tonight.” Another chimed in, “What does she expect the crowd to do? They’re going to support the home player. Get over it.”
Danielle Collins says the best thing about being a professional athlete is that the people that hate her pay her bills:
“Every person that bought a ticket to come heckle me, it’s all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund. Bring it on.” 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
Still, controversy seems to be part of the Danielle Collins brand, and she isn’t shying away from it. Having reached the final in Melbourne back in 2022, she knows what it’s like to face the pressure—and the noise—on one of tennis’ biggest stages. For Collins, it appears the boos are just fuel for the fire.
Now set to face fellow American Madison Keys in the third round, one thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on Danielle Collins. Love her or hate her, she’s making this year’s Australian Open unforgettable.
