How Tennis Star Danielle Collins Responded to Being Booed by Australian Open Crowd

American tennis star Danielle Collins faced heavy criticism for her actions and comments after defeating Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava in the second round of the Australian Open. The match ended in a hard-fought 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 victory for Collins, but it was her reaction to the crowd that stole the spotlight.

After the match, Collins, who was booed by the home crowd for her celebratory antics, slapped her backside and cupped her ear in response to the jeers. She also blew kisses to the audience, further fuelling the tension.

In her on-court interview, Collins addressed the crowd directly, saying:
“During the match, I thought, ‘While I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat pay cheque.’ We love a five-star vacation, so a big part of that will go towards that. Thank you for coming out and supporting us tonight. Love you!”

The 31-year-old, who reached the Australian Open final in 2022, defended her comments in a post-match press conference. Collins remarked:
“Being a professional athlete means even the people who don’t like you or hate you are paying your bills. Every ticket sold contributes to the Danielle Collins fund, so I say, bring it on. I love it.”

She also revealed plans to use her prize money for a luxury holiday, adding:
“My girlfriends and I love five-star holidays. I’m thinking of a trip to the Bahamas, with big boats and yachts. We’ll post about it and let you know how it goes.”

Collins’ remarks sparked outrage on social media, with fans calling her “classless” and criticising her for mocking the Australian crowd.
“Does Danielle Collins not realise she’s playing an Australian in Australia? What does she expect the crowd to do? Zero class tonight,” one fan wrote.

Another added:
“Danielle Collins is through to the next round, but without a shred of class.”

Collins’ opponent, Destanee Aiava, had earlier shared her financial struggles as a lower-ranked player, explaining how her recent earnings would allow her to afford travel and bring a companion to tournaments. This contrast heightened criticism of Collins’ remarks.

Collins, the tournament’s 10th seed, has already earned £147,000 by reaching the third round. She will face fellow American Madison Keys in her next match.

While her tennis skills remain undeniable, her actions and words have sparked a heated debate about sportsmanship and crowd interaction.