American tennis star Danielle Collins has made an unforgettable exit from the Australian Open, not for her performance on the court, but for her fiery clashes with fans that have positioned her as the tournament’s most polarizing figure. The former world number seven, who recently reversed her decision to retire, is embracing the spotlight—boos and all.
Collins vs. the crowd: a war of words and gestures
Collins first stoked the flames on Thursday during her second-round match against Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava. Facing a hostile crowd cheering relentlessly for their local favorite, Collins responded with a theatrical display, blowing sarcastic kisses to jeering fans and delivering a stinging post-match statement.
“There were a lot of people that were super drunk and had a hard time controlling themselves,” she told reporters, unapologetically calling out the rowdy spectators.
Her antics drew sympathy from none other than Novak Djokovic, who defended her playful provocations, suggesting the sport could “take itself a bit less seriously.”
A kinder exit? Not quite.
Although Collins toned down her theatrics during Saturday’s 6-4, 6-4 defeat to childhood friend Madison Keys, the boos from the crowd persisted. When asked about the fans’ reaction, Collins placed the ball squarely in their court:
“That’s up to them, right? At the end of the day, whatever happens, happens. Maybe some feelings got hurt or things were taken personally—they probably shouldn’t have been,” Collins said, adding, “People take life way too seriously sometimes.”
“Just being me”: Collins shrugs off criticism
Collins, who has long been known for her candid personality, appeared unfazed by the controversy. Reflecting on her playful responses to the crowd, she said, “I’m just trying to have fun, to enjoy my life. My friends on tour knew I was just being me and trying to make humor of the situation.”
Her nonchalant attitude extended to her critics online, whom she dismissed as “some guy living in his basement.”
From retirement to resurgence
The 31-year-old had planned to retire at the end of 2024 to start a family but reversed course in October, citing renewed attention and opportunities as motivating factors. Collins views the drama surrounding her as a net positive, explaining that it has led to new sponsorship deals.
“Six different sponsorship opportunities came up in this tournament alone. That’s a great signal for me. Every fan contributes to that,” she said with a smile.
Injury struggles cloud 2025 schedule
Collins’ Australian Open campaign was also hampered by a knee injury, casting doubt over her 2025 plans. The American has a packed schedule, with appearances lined up in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, and Charleston, but her participation remains uncertain.
“I traditionally sign up for everything in my schedule and then decide later if I want to play,” Collins explained. “At this point, I’m just enjoying the ride, but navigating health issues while traveling is difficult.”
Collins: love her or hate her, she’s here to entertain
As Collins continues her career resurgence, her unapologetic approach is likely to keep fans—and critics—talking. Whether she’s blowing kisses to jeering crowds or embracing the role of tennis’ pantomime villain, Collins has cemented her reputation as one of the sport’s most intriguing figures.