Danielle Collins of the United States provokes the crowd after defeating Destanee Aiava of Australia in the second round on Day 5 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025. Photo:
Robert Prange/Getty
Danielle Collins got the last laugh — and a “big fat paycheck” — at the 2025 Australian Open.
Fans didn’t hold back on Collins, 31, when she defeated Australia’s Destanee Aiava on Thursday, Jan. 16.
The passionate crowd booed the American tennis star after she took down the hometown favorite Aiava 6-2 — and Collins gave it right back to them, blowing kisses and grabbing the mic to say, “Thank you guys, love ya!”
Clearly reveling in her victory during a post-match interview in front of the crowd, Collins had the perfect sassy response to the displeased Australian fans. “You know, during the match I was like, while I’m out here I might as well take that big fat paycheck,” Collins said as the boos continued.
The tennis star said she loves playing “in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on,” and hearing the boos from her opponent’s fans “just motivates me even more.”
USA’s Danielle Collins celebrates victory over Australia’s Destanee Aiava after their women’s singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 16, 2025. WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty
“So, it’s kind of a good thing, especially when I’m not playing that well,” Collins said of being taunted by the crowd.
Collins said in a separate interview that the heckling can be positive and negative. “I’m definitely somebody that needs to have a bit of a fire, you know, under my ass. All of this just motivates me to do better.”
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According to the Athletic, Collins addressed the booing during her press conference after the win. “One of the greatest things about being a professional athlete is the people that don’t like you and the people that hate you, they actually pay your bills,” Collins told reporters. “It’s kind of a cool concept.”
Collins said she sees the heckling as a win for her personal finances, per the Athletic. “Every person that’s bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me, it’s all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund. Bring it on. I love it.”
