Danielle Collins
American tennis player Danielle Collins created a stir during her post-match interview at the Australian Open, following her victory over local favourite Destanee Aiava.
The 10th seed, who triumphed with a 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 scoreline, made headlines not only for her on-court performance but also for her provocative behavior during the celebration.
After the hard-fought match, Collins made a series of bold gestures, including blowing kisses to the crowd and slapping her backside, while expressing her excitement over the financial rewards that came with her victory.
She also commented on the “big fat pay cheque” she would be receiving, which she planned to use for lavish vacations. “If I’m out here, I may as well take that big fat pay cheque,” Collins said, further highlighting her plans for indulgent getaways. These remarks, coupled with her celebratory actions, prompted a chorus of boos from the audience at the Kia Arena.
Although Collins thanked the crowd for their support, her comments received mixed reactions. Some fans were amused by her cheekiness, while others found her behavior inappropriate, particularly considering she had just defeated an Australian player on home soil.
As her prize money already totaled £147,000, Collins was set to face Madison Keys in the next round, but her post-match remarks became the subject of much discussion.
In a follow-up press conference, Collins seemed to address the controversy head-on, stating, “The people that don’t like you and that hate you actually pay your bills.”
This statement only fueled further debate online, where social media users were divided over her actions.
Many criticized Collins for being “classless,” with some pointing out that her behavior may have been particularly insensitive given the home crowd’s emotional investment in Aiava’s performance.
Despite the backlash, Collins remains focused on her tournament journey, with her confidence and brash remarks continuing to make her a polarizing figure at the Australian Open.
