Danielle Collins faced criticism for her antics during the Australian Open, where she taunted the crowd and took a controversial medical timeout. Despite the hostility, Collins embraced her role as the 'villain' and celebrated her win over Destanee Aiava with bold statements about using her prize money for luxury vacations.
Danielle Collins, the American tennis star ranked 11th in the world, stirred up significant controversy during her second-round match against Australia's Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open. Facing a hostile crowd, Collins not only secured a hard-fought victory but also embraced her role as the 'villain' with WWE-style antics and bold statements. Her behavior, including a controversial medical timeout, has sparked widespread debate in the tennis community.
During her match against Destanee Aiava, Danielle Collins faced a hostile Australian crowd who jeered her mistakes and celebrated her opponent's successes. Collins, however, leaned into the antagonism, blowing kisses, cupping her ear, and even slapping her backside in response to the boos. After securing a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 victory, she grabbed the microphone during her on-court interview to taunt the crowd further, saying, "Thanks for the paycheck, Australia" [1]. Her actions have drawn comparisons to professional wrestling antics, with some fans labeling her behavior as 'classless' [3].
Amidst the theatrics, a significant point of contention arose when Collins took a medical timeout during a crucial moment in the second set. With Aiava leading 5-2 and serving for the set, Collins called for a timeout citing a foot issue, which many perceived as a tactic to disrupt Aiava's momentum. The timeout lasted ten minutes, during which Collins received treatment and painkillers. Although she did not break any official rules, the timing of the timeout drew accusations of gamesmanship from fans and commentators alike [2].
Despite the criticism, Collins appeared unfazed by the backlash. In her post-match interviews, she reiterated her enjoyment of playing in front of a passionate crowd, regardless of their allegiance. She emphasized that the boos and jeers only motivated her further, stating, "One of the greatest things about being a professional athlete is the people that don't like you and the people that hate you, they actually pay your bills" [1]. Collins also mentioned her plans to spend her prize money on a luxury vacation, further fueling the narrative of her as a 'pantomime villain' [3].
Danielle Collins' performance at the Australian Open has become a talking point not just for her victory but for her controversial behavior on and off the court. Her actions have sparked discussions about sportsmanship and the role of athletes in engaging with fans. As Collins continues in the tournament, it remains to be seen how her relationship with the crowd will evolve and whether her antics will impact her future matches.