The Australian Open crowd really did not like American Danielle Collins during her second round 7–6, 4–6, 6–2 win over the Aussie native Destanee Aiava on Thursday. The crowd heckled Collins throughout the entirety of the match, and even booed her during her post-match comments.
Collins wanted to give the crowd a taste of their own medicine, so she heckled them right back. Right after match point, she immediately put her hand to her ears repeating "How about that?" and even blew kisses to the audience, creating a now-viral image.
Then, the 31-year-old wanted to remind the crowd that by them coming to support her and her opponent, they are helping add to her paycheck.
“I was thinking during the match, I was like, 'Hmm, as long as I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat paycheck,'” Collins said to the crowd. She ended her comments by saying, "Thank you guys, love ya," in a sarcastic tone.
Danielle Collins did NOT hold back after the crowd made their feelings heard following her victory over Destanee Aiava 🤫#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/9vnzVPEipx
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 16, 2025
Danielle Collins to the crowd after beating Aiava at Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
“During the match I was like, while I’m out here I might as well take that big fat paycheck.”
The crowd is booing.
It’s all happening.
pic.twitter.com/b3pxejPHkc
She emphasized this message in her press conference. All the fans who "bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me, it’s all going toward the Danielle Collins Fund," she joked.
“The people that don’t like you, and the people that hate you, they actually pay your bills. Obviously my professional career is not going to last forever,” Collins said.
Collins intended to retire from tennis in 2024, but decided to remain on the tour in '25. Playing in front of a hostile crowd such as this one "motivates her more," she added.
Collins will go on to face fellow American Madison Keys, who's coming off a title at the Adelaide International last weekend, in the third round.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as American Danielle Collins Taunts Australian Open Crowd After Beating Aussie Opponent.
