American tennis player Danielle Collins embraced the Australian Open boos after her latest win. But there's more to her heel turn than meets the eye.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 16: Danielle Collins of the United States celebrates winning match point in the Women’s Singles Second Round match against Destanee Aiava of Australia during day five of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Count Novak Djokovic as being in Danielle Collins’ corner. He thinks her response to booing fans at the Australian Open was absolutely fine — which should come as no surprise, given the way Djokovic gets into back-and-forths with hecklers at his matches,

Danielle Collins appeared to revel in playing the part of pantomime villain at the Australian Open on Thursday as she took down home favorite Destanee Aiava 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 in front of a raucous crowd.

After antagonizing the Australian Open crowd during and after her second-round match, Danielle Collins received a cold welcome from the fans as she took the court for her third-round matchup with Madison Keys.

Danielle Collins has hit back at criticism of her goading of the Australian Open crowd, saying: “I don’t care what some guy living in his basement is writing on the internet.” Collins, the American world No.

Danielle Collins thanked her haters for paying her bills at the Australian Open, and this is the kind of energy more people need to have. As much as athletes probably hope a crowd is for them during matches, it won’t always be that way. Sometimes, fans are for the opposing player, and they let it be known.

Danielle Collins got into a back-and-forth with a booing crowd at the Australian Open after eliminating a local player, blowing kisses to the spectators and repeating the phrase, “How about that?!”