By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Thursday, January 16, 2025
Photo credit: Robert Prange/Getty
Danielle Collins is not afraid to share how she really feels, both on and off the tennis court.
And she’s not afraid of a fight. Either against a determined opponent or a tough crowd.
That was the case Wednesday night when the No. 10 seeded American faced off against Australia’s Destanee Aiava in the second round.
As expected, the Aussie crowd was very much against Collins during the contest. Collins endured jeers and boos from the crowd throughout the very close two and half hour battle.
Yet in the end that didn’t stop Collins from clinching the 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 win to put herself in the third round. When the match ended, the 31-year old Collins, a former Australian Open finalist in 2022, held her hand to her left ear in jest to the Kia Arena crowd.
As the jeers grew louder, she also blew kisses toward the fans.
Little bit of prime “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan about Danielle Collins post match!#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/nyusDgt3PP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
As she went to her chair, Collins then patted her butt in jest to the crowd suggesting a ‘kiss my butt” gesture.
“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 in her post-match press conference. “Anyone who bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me, it’s all going toward the Danielle Collins Fund.”
The woman nicknamed “Danimal” continued to thank Aussie fans for firing her up in her post-match presser. Collins added that her third-round paycheck will probably go to pay for a 5-star vacation with her friends later this year.
Danielle Collins to the crowd after beating Aiava at Australian Open“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
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
Collins did give full credit to Aiava for playing a great match and fully expected the crowd to be against her from the start. But, whether a crowd is for or against her, Collins always uses it to fuel her desire to win.
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
“I loved it. I’ve been doing this my whole life. I love playing (in front of) a crowd that has energy, regardless of which side they’re on. It kind of motivates me more.”
Embed from Getty Images
The feisty Collins will next face fellow American Madison Keys in the next round.
