Danielle Collins, the 11th seed in this year’s Australian Open, continued to demonstrate her competitive edge and theatrical flair during her second-round match against Australian local hero, Destanee Aiava. After a tightly contested encounter, Collins won with a scoreline of 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2, displaying both her skills on the court and her ability to engage with the crowd.

Engaging with the Audience

Throughout the match, Collins embraced the challenging atmosphere, playfully interacting with the audience. She encouraged the crowd’s boos by cupping her hand to her ear, blowing kisses, and exclaiming, “How ’bout that!” while celebrating after critical points.

A Post-Match Reflection

Following the match, during her post-match interview, Collins maintained her provocative demeanor. As boos echoed around the venue, she quipped, “I was thinking during the match, I was like, ‘Hmm, if I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat paycheck.’” She further noted her plans to celebrate with her fellow player, Coco Vandeweghe, mentioning that part of her winnings would go towards their shared love for luxurious vacations. “Thanks for the paycheck, Australia,” she added in a later interview with ESPN.

Future Prospects

Having reached the third round, Collins is set to face fellow American Madison Keys. After previously announcing her intention to retire following the 2024 season, she has since retracted that statement, focusing instead on her current performance and aspirations in the tournament.