Danielle Collins Recalls Distressing Encounter with Cameraman Early in Her Career: “He Goes in to Kiss Me”

Danielle Collins has not yet lifted a singles title since winning the Charleston Open last year.

Danielle Collins Recalls Distressing Encounter with Cameraman Early in Her Career: “He Goes in to Kiss Me”

Danielle Collins (Image via X/#AusOpen)

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Danielle Collins had made headlines during the Strasbourg Open this year due to her conduct toward a cameraman. She was up against Emma Raducanu in the round of 16 when, while filling her water bottle, she snapped at the cameraman, who she said was standing too close to both players.

Collins was last seen in action at Wimbledon, where she fell in straight sets to Iga Swiatek in the third round. She recently sat for an interview with Josh Smith for his Reign with Josh Smith podcast. There, she recalled the time when she was a newcomer and how she was harassed by a cameraman.

I had a situation when I first got on tour, and I was dealing with a cameraman that was very persistent. I lost a long three-set match, come off the court and kind of like, cramping, and I’m tired and all the things are happening, and this guy goes, ‘Oh Danielle, I’m so sorry, can I give you a hug?’ and I look at like my coach and I’m like sure.

Collins doesn’t shy away from expressing her views, and sometimes her conduct made her enemies. At the Australian Open this year, the 31-year-old blew kisses toward the crowd on the Show Court Arena and also slapped her back after knocking out home favorite Destanee Aiava in the second round.

During the podcast, she said her reactions, that are considered offensive, are due to the consequence of her being on the receiving end of poor behavior from someone.

He goes in to hug me, and all of a sudden, he goes in to kiss me. And I’m like, ‘Oh no!’ He literally starts making out with the side of my face. So yeah, people don’t see that behind the scenes.

Danielle Collins added

Danielle Collins claims she can play Iga Swiatek better on clay

Danielle Collins had reached three finals and won two titles last year. But this year, she has not yet reached a championship match. Only once was she successful in making it to the semifinal, in Strasbourg, where eventual runner-up Liudmila Samsonova knocked her out.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/Barstool Tennis)

Twice this year, she has played Iga Swiatek: first, in the Italian Open third round, which the Pole lost; second, in the Wimbledon third round. The American ace holds a 2-8 head-to-head record over Swiatek and thinks she can play the six-time Grand Slam champion better on clay, where they have met twice and have won a match each.

I feel like I match up against Iga a little bit better on the clay because I prefer clay courts. That’s my favorite surface. Iga’s obviously been improving on the grass, and she had some good results before Wimbledon…was hitting the ball really well, moving incredibly well.

Danielle Collins said on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast

Collins last lifted a singles title at the 2024 Charleston Open. Swiatek ended her title drought by handing a double bagel to Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon final.

The 24-year-old needs just the Australian Open to complete the Career Grand Slam. At Wimbledon, Swiatek also lifted her first title on grass, and before arriving in London, she played her first grass-court final at the Bad Homburg Open, losing the match to Jessica Pegula. It was her first final since her victory at Roland Garros last year.

Next is the North American hard-court swing, and Swiatek will enter the US Open as the heavy favorite. She will be aiming to double her US Open title tally, as she was the winner at Flushing Meadows in 2022. Collins, the 2022 Australian Open runner-up, has never progressed beyond the fourth round in her home Major.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Gives Insights Into Bouncing Back From Failures in Sports After Resurgent Wimbledon Title Win