(Video) Danielle Collins walks out to a barrage of boos from the Australian Open crowd before her match against Maddison Keys
Danielle Collins has rattled the Australian Open crowd with her match-winning celebrations in her previous match.
Danielle Collins (Via X)
Danielle Collins was greeted with loud boos as she stepped onto Rod Laver Arena for her third-round match against Madison Keys at the Australian Open. This reaction was expected after her behavior during her second-round match. The Australian crowd didn’t take kindly to Collins after she blew kisses and cupped her ear following her win against local favorite Destanee Aiava.
Collins, ranked 10th in the world, faced a tougher match than anticipated against Aiava, who is ranked just inside the top 200. After winning the first set in a tiebreak, Collins unexpectedly dropped the second set 6-4. She bounced back in the third set, dominating 6-2, and showed her excitement by taunting the crowd with gestures like slapping her bum and asking for more noise.
Danielle Collins receives a serenade of boos as she enters Rod Laver Arena. 😠🔊#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/eGcuxwS9Yg
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 18, 2025
Her next opponent, Keys, is expected to provide a much tougher challenge. The 19th seed has been in strong form during the pre-season and looks ready for the year’s first Grand Slam. Collins will need to be at her best to get past the fellow American.
If Collins wins, the crowd may have to endure more of her bold celebrations. The tension between the 31-year-old and the Australian fans seems far from over, and her antics will likely keep fueling this ongoing feud.
Jessica Pegula shares thoughts on Danielle Collins’ celebrations at the Australian Open
Jessica Pegula shared her thoughts on Danielle Collins’ behavior at the Australian Open, describing it as a refreshing change for the sport. She explained that the 31-year-old brings energy and personality to the WTA Tour, which she feels is often too reserved. The US Open finalist compared Collins’ boldness to the way Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios have been portrayed as villains by fans and the media.
Collins stirred controversy during the tournament when she taunted the crowd after defeating Australian Destanee Aiava in the second round. Her actions sparked divided opinions among tennis fans, with some criticizing her behavior and others supporting her confidence.
Coco Gauff defended Collins, commending her for being authentic and unapologetically herself. The debate highlighted how the World No.11’s personality stands out in the tennis world, which is often known for its tradition and formality.
Meanwhile, Pegula faced her own challenge at the Australian Open. She was upset by world No. 55 Olga Danilovic in straight sets, 7-6, 6-1, failing to reach the fourth round for the second year in a row. Danilovic’s strong performance earned her a spot in the next round against Paula Badosa.
Fahad Hamid
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