American tennis star Danielle Collins looks like she’s having the time of her life at this year’s Australian Open by playing the role of the biggest heel in the tournament to the home crowd.
The 31 year old is the 10th seed for this year’s tournament in Melbourne, where she achieved her best career major finish in making it to the final in 2022.
During the second round, she faced Australia’s Destanee Aiava and won a three-set match. Clearly, the home crowd was on Aiava’s side and at the match’s conclusion, Collins made sure to send a message to the fans in Melbourne.
Danielle Collins’ reaction to the crowd after reaching Australian Open R3.
She puts her hands to her ears.
Blowing kisses to silence the Aussie crowd.
The crowd immediately starts booing.
This is peak Danielle Collins 💀
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
But her post-match celebration had nothing on her post-match interview, where she took a page straight out of the WWE playbook. Given the reaction and the booing of the home crowd, you would think she was Dominik Mysterio. She even made reference to the “big fat paycheck” she would receive for winning. And to top it all off, she grabbed the microphone at the end for one special goodbye to her many fans down under.
Danielle Collins to the crowd after beating Aiava at Australian Open
“During the match I was like, while I’m out here I might as well take that big fat paycheck.”
The crowd is booing.
It’s all happening.
pic.twitter.com/b3pxejPHkc— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
After the performance trolling the crowd was over, Collins showed in her post-match press conference that it wasn’t all just an act, but that she cherished the role of being a villain in defeating one of Australia’s own and it certainly provided her with some extra motivation.
Danielle Collins says the best thing about being a professional athlete is that the people that hate her pay her bills:
“Every person that bought a ticket to come heckle me, it’s all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund. Bring it on.” 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
Women’s tennis has been looking for some new stars after the retirement of GOAT Serena Williams to carry the sport forward. Who knew all we needed was someone like Danielle Collins to give it the big one to the Australian Open crowd to give the sport new life?
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