By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Thursday, January 16, 2025
Picture credit score: Robert Prange/Getty
Danielle Collins is just not afraid to share how she actually feels, each on and off the tennis court docket.
And she or he’s not afraid of a struggle. Both towards a decided opponent or a troublesome crowd.
That was the case Wednesday evening when the No. 10 seeded American confronted off towards Australia’s Destanee Aiava within the second spherical.
As anticipated, the Aussie crowd was very a lot towards Collins throughout the contest. Collins endured jeers and boos from the group all through the very shut two and half hour battle.
But ultimately that didn’t cease Collins from clinching the 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 win to place herself within the third spherical. When the match ended, the 31-year outdated Collins, a former Australian Open finalist in 2022, held her hand to her left ear in jest to the Kia Enviornment crowd.
Because the jeers grew louder, she additionally blew kisses towards the followers.
Little little bit of prime “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan about Danielle Collins put up match!#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/nyusDgt3PP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
As she went to her chair, Collins then patted her butt in jest to the group suggesting a ‘kiss my butt” gesture.
“The folks that do not such as you, and the folks that hate you, they really pay your payments. Clearly my skilled profession is just not going to final perpetually,” Collins mentioned in her post-match press convention. “Anybody who purchased a ticket to return out right here and heckle me, it is all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund.”
The lady nicknamed “Danimal” continued to thank Aussie followers for firing her up in her post-match presser. Collins added that her third-round paycheck will most likely go to pay for a 5-star trip along with her associates later this yr.
Danielle Collins to the group after beating Aiava at Australian Open“In the course of the match I used to be like, whereas I’m out right here I would as nicely take that massive fats paycheck.”
The gang is booing.
It’s all occurring.
pic.twitter.com/b3pxejPHkc
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
Collins did give full credit score to Aiava for taking part in an incredible match and totally anticipated the group to be towards her from the beginning. However, whether or not a crowd is for or towards her, Collins at all times makes use of it to gasoline her need to win.
Danielle Collins says the very best factor about being an expert athlete is that the folks that hate her pay her payments:“Each person who purchased a ticket to return heckle me, it is all going in the direction of the Danielle Collins Fund. Deliver it on.”
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 16, 2025
“I beloved it. I have been doing this my complete life. I like enjoying (in entrance of) a crowd that has power, no matter which aspect they’re on. It sort of motivates me extra.”
The feisty Collins will subsequent face fellow American Madison Keys within the subsequent spherical.
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