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‘This girl loves it’ – Danielle Collins’ retirement plan in rear view mirror as star embraces pantomime villain role
Danielle Collins was not meant to play tennis in 2025. The 31-year-old came out of a planned retirement following fertility issues and now finds herself fully embracing the role of pantomime villain in Melbourne that almost broke the internet on Thursday. Danielle Collins caused controversy in her post-game interview Facing Australia’s last hope in the women’s draw, Destanee Aivia, Collins was booed and taunted for the entirety of her 2 hour and 25 minute match. However, the American would fight through it on the KIA Arena, on what has become a party court known for excessive drinking, as she won 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 . “How about that”, Collins screamed after her win as she cupped her ears, the world no.11 more than happy to give some back to a crowd who jeered and booed and cheered every time she hit a double fault or made a mistake. Collins’ boos were the latest intervention at the Australian Open from boisterous and intoxicated crowds in a sport usually known for it’s civility. The taunting of opponents has become something of a norm in Melbourne, it was only days ago Jack Draper was jeered as he entered the court and then booed for the whole match in his second-round win over home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis. “You know, I was thinking during the match, I was like, ‘Hmm, if I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat paycheck,'” Collins said after the match. “[My friend Coco Vandeweghe] and I love, we love a good five-star vacation so part of that check is going to go towards that, so thank you guys, thank you for coming out and supporting us tonight.” Collins added kisses to the crowd to her apparent goading of those in attendance along with turning around and slapping her posterior in a series of post-match trolling. “I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on,” the US number four said after her victory. “It just motivates me even more, so it’s kind of a good thing, especially when I’m not playing that well.” Melbourne Park should not have even had the opportunity to boo the American, it was only two months ago Collins announced her retirement reversal after previously saying 2024 was her last year on tour. Danielle Collins in her post-game celebrations Collins celebrates victory over Destanee Aiava The former Australian Open finalist was to retire in October 2024 with plans to start a family but decided she would tour in 2025 after health struggles. Collins was diagnosed with the condition endometriosis in 2021, which she has said caused fertility issues. Nevertheless, 31-year-old told reporters ahead of the Australian Open she was excited to compete on tour, saying: “So, the DANIMAL [her nickname] story has not reached its conclusion.” The American’s second round win certainly wrote a new story in the brilliant career of Collins. “All I have to say is good luck p****** someone off, getting under the skin of somebody that doesn’t give a … can I say it?” Collins laughed when asked if she enjoys being the villain. The 2024 Miami Open winner also spoke about the alcohol issues at Melbourne Park, blaming those who were drunk for the hostility more so than the fact she was playing Australian. “I think there were a lot of people that were super drunk and had a hard time controlling themselves and were really excited,” she said. Alcohol offerings have expanded this ear at the Australian Open with a new two-story venue resembling a pub overlooking court six, this is despite criticism from players last year about rowdy drunk crowds. Collins now sets up an all-American match in the fourth round, taking world no.14 Madison Keys on Rod Laver Arena in the final game of the night session. Despite her status as a former runner-up at the first major of the year, Collins is likely to find herself the center of the crowd’s attention, not that she minds. “I’m from a different country, here competing against someone that’s from here. Ultimately it was a pretty cool environment, I thought. “Even though it was pretty rowdy, this girl loves it.”
Danielle Collins was not meant to play tennis in 2025.
The 31-year-old came out of a planned retirement following fertility issues and now finds herself fully embracing the role of pantomime villain in Melbourne that almost broke the internet on Thursday.
Facing Australia’s last hope in the women’s draw, Destanee Aivia, Collins was booed and taunted for the entirety of her 2 hour and 25 minute match.
However, the American would fight through it on the KIA Arena, on what has become a party court known for excessive drinking, as she won 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 .
“How about that”, Collins screamed after her win as she cupped her ears, the world no.11 more than happy to give some back to a crowd who jeered and booed and cheered every time she hit a double fault or made a mistake.
Collins’ boos were the latest intervention at the Australian Open from boisterous and intoxicated crowds in a sport usually known for it’s civility.
The taunting of opponents has become something of a norm in Melbourne, it was only days ago Jack Draper was jeered as he entered the court and then booed for the whole match in his second-round win over home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis.
“You know, I was thinking during the match, I was like, ‘Hmm, if I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat paycheck,'” Collins said after the match.
“[My friend Coco Vandeweghe] and I love, we love a good five-star vacation so part of that check is going to go towards that, so thank you guys, thank you for coming out and supporting us tonight.”
Collins added kisses to the crowd to her apparent goading of those in attendance along with turning around and slapping her posterior in a series of post-match trolling.
“I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on,” the US number four said after her victory. “It just motivates me even more, so it’s kind of a good thing, especially when I’m not playing that well.”
Melbourne Park should not have even had the opportunity to boo the American, it was only two months ago Collins announced her retirement reversal after previously saying 2024 was her last year on tour.
The former Australian Open finalist was to retire in October 2024 with plans to start a family but decided she would tour in 2025 after health struggles.
Collins was diagnosed with the condition endometriosis in 2021, which she has said caused fertility issues.
Nevertheless, 31-year-old told reporters ahead of the Australian Open she was excited to compete on tour, saying: “So, the DANIMAL [her nickname] story has not reached its conclusion.”
The American’s second round win certainly wrote a new story in the brilliant career of Collins.
“All I have to say is good luck p****** someone off, getting under the skin of somebody that doesn’t give a … can I say it?” Collins laughed when asked if she enjoys being the villain.
The 2024 Miami Open winner also spoke about the alcohol issues at Melbourne Park, blaming those who were drunk for the hostility more so than the fact she was playing Australian.
“I think there were a lot of people that were super drunk and had a hard time controlling themselves and were really excited,” she said.
Alcohol offerings have expanded this ear at the Australian Open with a new two-story venue resembling a pub overlooking court six, this is despite criticism from players last year about rowdy drunk crowds.
Collins now sets up an all-American match in the fourth round, taking world no.14 Madison Keys on Rod Laver Arena in the final game of the night session.
Despite her status as a former runner-up at the first major of the year, Collins is likely to find herself the center of the crowd’s attention, not that she minds.
“I’m from a different country, here competing against someone that’s from here. Ultimately it was a pretty cool environment, I thought.
“Even though it was pretty rowdy, this girl loves it.”
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