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American tennis star Danielle Collins got the last laugh on Thursday after the crowd at the Australian Open spent her entire second-round match against Destanee Aiava showering her with boos. Aiava, 24, is a hometown hero that hails not only from Australia, but specifically from Melbourne, where the tournament is held.
But Collins wasn’t fazed by the boos. She even managed to blow a kiss to the hostile crowd after a 7-6 (7-4) victory in set one. Aiava battled back to win the second set 6-4, but Collins advanced to the third round of the tournament with a dominant 6-2 victory in the decisive set.
It was after the match, however, where she really shined.
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
Danielle Collins Shuts Down Rowdy Fans Who Booed Her At Australian Open
“Coco and I love a good five-star vacation,” she said in response to the jeers, referencing good friend and former doubles player CoCo Vandeweghe. “So part of that check is going to go towards that. So thanks for coming out here and supporting us tonight.”
The crowd then continued to boo as the post-match interview went on, to which Collins responded “Thanks guys, love ya,” as she left the court.
After the match, reporters asked Collins is she was bothered by all the booing.
“Ultimately, it was a pretty cool environment, I thought,” she said. “…All I have to say is good luck pissing somebody off or getting under the skin of somebody that doesn’t give a… can I say it?.”
She did not say “it.”
Collins, 31, represented the United States in the Paris Olympics last summer, reaching the quarterfinals before getting eliminated. She reached the Australian Open finals in 2022 before losing, coincidentally, to another Aussie in Ashleigh Barty.