Danielle Collins embraced the villain role at the Australian Open 2025 match, defeating local favorite Destanee Aiava 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 in front of a lively crowd. Despite the boos and jeers, Collins confidently taunted the audience, making the most of the atmosphere.

Defiant Celebrations

After her victory, Collins cupped her ear and blew kisses to the crowd. As she made her way back to her chair, she continued to blow kisses and even slapped her buttocks. Despite the hostility, she seemed to thrive on the energy, fueling her celebration.

Collins Thrives in the Atmosphere

"I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on," Collins shared. "It motivates me more, especially when I’m not playing well." She added, "It helped me focus and pushed me to finish strong." Clearly, the charged atmosphere had a positive impact on her performance.

Boisterous Crowd Adds to the Energy

Collins mentioned that many fans were "super drunk," contributing to the noisy environment. After the match, she was again booed during her on-court interview. However, she responded by saying, "If I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat paycheck. We love a five-star vacation."

The Paycheck and Vacation Fund

Collins will earn 290,000 Australian dollars ($180,000) for reaching the third round. She joked, "It’s all going towards the Danielle Collins fund." Furthermore, Collins acknowledged that those who boo her are, in a way, "paying my bills." She added, "We love a five-star vacation. This check is going towards our next trip to the Bahamas."

Looking Ahead: Third Round Match

Looking forward, Collins will face fellow American Madison Keys in the third round. Collins had initially planned to retire due to health issues but has since decided to postpone those plans and continue her career.

Praise from Djokovic

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic praised Collins for her response to the crowd. "I loved her response. Everything she said, on and off the court. Big fan of Danielle Collins," he said. He commended her for handling the situation with humor and intelligence, further solidifying his admiration.