Tenth seed Danielle Collins gave it to the Melbourne crowd after seeing off home favourite Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open today.
The veteran American has a fine record at the season’s opening grand slam, reaching the semis in 2019 and the final three years later.
But there seemed little love between the Floridian and the Victorian supporters who were firmly behind qualifier Aiava, who saved two match points in her first-round win over Greet Minnen.
Collins is regarded as one of the feistiest players on the WTA Tour and she took great delight in securing the win, cupping her ear and mouthing “how about that” before blowing kisses and then smacking her own bottom.
Little bit of prime “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan about Danielle Collins post match!#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/nyusDgt3PP
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Predictably that earned her a chorus of boos in what descended into a pantomime atmosphere that continued when she was interviewed post-match on court.
She said: “You know, I was thinking, I was like, hmm, you know what, while I’m out here I might as well take that big, fat paycheck.
“And [team member] CoCo [Vandeweghe] and I love a good five-star vacation so part of that paycheck will go towards that so thank you guys, thank you for coming out and supporting us tonight.
“Thank you guys, love ya.”
Collins faces an All-American battle next when she takes on 19th seed Madison Keys in the third round.
