VIDEO – Danielle Collins sparks controversy with fiery response to hostile Australian Open crowd

Danielle Collins, never one to shy away from drama, once again proved she’s one of the most polarizing figures on the WTA Tour after her explosive reaction to a hostile crowd during her victory over home favorite Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open. The match, a rollercoaster of tension and raw emotion, ended with Collins serving a heavy dose of taunts and bold statements that left fans and critics buzzing.

The match that lit the spark

Collins faced a tough battle against Aiava, who enjoyed raucous support from her home crowd in Melbourne’s Kia Arena. The American ultimately triumphed in a grueling three-set contest, 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, but not without facing what she deemed disrespectful behavior from the audience. Cheers for her double faults and unforced errors pushed Collins to the brink, and her post-match actions made headlines worldwide.

Collins’ fiery celebration ignites debate

After sealing the victory, Collins didn’t hold back. She theatrically cupped both ears, challenging the crowd with a bold “Come on then!” in a defiant display of emotion. The gesture was followed by a tense on-court interview where boos rained down from the stands. Collins responded with razor-sharp wit, thanking the fans for essentially funding her prize money and hinting at a luxurious post-tournament getaway with her teammate CoCo Vandeweghe.

“If I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat paycheck,” Collins said, grinning. “Coco and I love a good five-star vacation. So that check is gonna go towards that. Thanks for coming out here and supporting us tonight.”

Little bit of prime "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan about @danimalcollins post match!#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/NCWFhTPmui

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025

A history of heated exchanges

This isn’t the first time Collins has courted controversy. Earlier in the season, she clashed with Iga Swiatek at the United Cup, refusing to make eye contact during the pre-match handshake and later changing her Instagram profile picture to capture her disdain. At the Paris Olympics, Collins accused Swiatek of insincerity after the Pole inquired about an injury, further cementing her reputation as a fiercely unapologetic competitor.

The line between authenticity and provocation

Collins doubled down on her bold persona during the ESPN interview, reiterating her gratitude for Australia’s prize money while brushing off the crowd’s hostility.

“It was a tough crowd. I figured if I’m gonna be out here, I better take home that bigger paycheck. So, yeah, thanks for the paycheck, Australia.”

In her post-match press conference, Collins came close to swearing when discussing her mental resilience, only to be gently reminded by a tournament official to keep it clean.

“Good luck getting under the skin of somebody that doesn’t give a… Can I say it?” Collins quipped, before an official cut in with, “Don’t say it.”

Divided opinions as Collins gears up for Madison Keys

Collins’ unapologetic attitude has drawn a mixed reaction. Some fans admire her authenticity and grit, while others feel her antics cross the line. Regardless, her next match against Madison Keys promises to be a must-watch showdown, with all eyes on how Collins handles the pressure—and potentially more vocal crowds.