By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Thursday, January 16, 2025
Photograph credit score: Robert Prange/Getty
Danielle Collins shouldn’t be afraid to share how she actually feels, each on and off the tennis court docket.
And she or he’s not afraid of a combat. Both towards a decided opponent or a troublesome crowd.
That was the case Wednesday night time when the No. 10 seeded American confronted off towards Australia’s Destanee Aiava within the second spherical.
As anticipated, the Aussie crowd was very a lot towards Collins throughout the contest. Collins endured jeers and boos from the gang all through the very shut two and half hour battle.
But ultimately that didn’t cease Collins from clinching the 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 win to place herself within the third spherical. When the match ended, the 31-year outdated Collins, a former Australian Open finalist in 2022, held her hand to her left ear in jest to the Kia Area crowd.
Because the jeers grew louder, she additionally blew kisses towards the followers.
Little little bit of prime “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan about Danielle Collins submit 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 gang suggesting a ‘kiss my butt” gesture.
“The individuals that do not such as you, and the folks that hate you, they really pay your payments. Clearly my skilled profession shouldn’t be going to final without end,” Collins stated in her post-match press convention. “Anybody who purchased a ticket to return out right here and heckle me, it is all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund.”
The lady nicknamed “Danimal” continued to thank Aussie followers for firing her up in her post-match presser. Collins added that her third-round paycheck will in all probability go to pay for a 5-star trip together with her mates later this yr.
Danielle Collins to the gang after beating Aiava at Australian Open“Throughout the match I used to be like, whereas I’m out right here I’d as nicely take that large fats paycheck.”
The group is booing.
It’s all taking place.
pic.twitter.com/b3pxejPHkc
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
Collins did give full credit score to Aiava for enjoying an amazing match and totally anticipated the gang to be towards her from the beginning. However, whether or not a crowd is for or towards her, Collins all the time makes use of it to gasoline her want to win.
Danielle Collins says the most effective factor about being knowledgeable athlete is that the folks that hate her pay her payments:“Each individual that purchased a ticket to return heckle me, it is all going in the direction of the Danielle Collins Fund. Carry it on.” 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
“I cherished it. I have been doing this my entire life. I like enjoying (in entrance of) a crowd that has power, no matter which aspect they’re on. It type of motivates me extra.”
The feisty Collins will subsequent face fellow American Madison Keys within the subsequent spherical.