US tennis player Danielle Collins thanks Australian Open fans for ‘paying my bills’ after being spat at
American tennis player Danielle Collins she’s not making any new friends in Australia this week and she’s perfectly fine with that.
Collins, a 2022 finalist Australian Open, advanced to the third round of this year’s Grand Slam after defeating Australia’s Destanee Aiava on Tuesday, but her victory was met with a harsh reaction from the home crowd.
Danielle Collins reacts after defeating Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
After being booed by the crowd for most of the match, Collins blew kisses to the fans and pelted them with eggs as soon as she won the match point.
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“It was a tough crowd and I thought if I’m going to be here, I better take home that bigger payday,” Collins said in a courtside interview after the match. “Well yeah, thanks for the salary Australia.”
“It’s a pretty amazing feeling as an athlete because people who don’t like you or hate you pay your bills,” she continued. “So it’s a really rewarding feeling to be here, and it feels like a really great day.”
Danielle Collins blows kisses after defeating Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Collins defeated Aiava 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2 in a match that lasted nearly 2 1/2 hours.
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During her postgame press conference, Collins doubled down on her reaction to the crowd, adding that the fans’ “energy” motivates her — no matter who they’re rooting for.
“One of the biggest things about being a professional athlete is the people who don’t like you and the people who hate you, they actually pay your bills. It’s kind of a cool concept… I just remind myself every day that I have that stuff, they pay me accounts. Every person who bought a ticket to come here and make fun of me or do what they do, it all goes to the Danielle Collins fund.”
Danielle Collins attacked the crowd at the Australian Open on Thursday, January 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
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Collins joked that she likes to go on “five star vacations” with her friends and that her earnings from Australian Open will go on their next trip.
“We love ships – we love big ships. We love yachts. We’ll post about it and let you know how it goes.”
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