Danielle Collins thanks booing Australian Open crowd for ‘big paycheck’

Danielle Collins had the last laugh – and a “big payday” – at the 2025 Australian Open.

Fans couldn’t hold back Collins, 31, when she defeated Australian Destanee Aiava on Thursday, January 16.

The passionate crowd booed the American tennis star after she beat hometown favorite Aiava 6-2 – and Collins returned the favor by blowing kisses and grabbing the microphone to say: “Thanks guys, I love you!”

Clearly reveling in his victory during a post-match interview in front of the crowd, Collins had the perfect sassy response to the disgruntled Australian fans. “You know, during the game, I was like, while I’m here, I might as well take this big paycheck,” Collins said as the boos continued.

The tennis star said she loves playing “in a crowd that has energy, no matter which side you’re on,” and hearing the boos from her opponent’s fans “motivates me even more.”

“So it’s kind of a good thing, especially when I’m not playing very well,” Collins said of the crowd’s jeers.

Collins said in a separate interview that heckling could be positive and negative. “I’m definitely someone who needs to have a little fire, you know, under my ass. It all just motivates me to do better.”

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According to the Athletic, Collins addressed the boos during his press conference after the victory. “One of the greatest things about being a professional athlete is the people who don’t like you and the people who hate you, they pay your bills,” Collins told reporters. “It’s quite a cool concept.”

Collins said she considered the ruckus a victory for her personal finances, according to the Athletic. “Every person that bought a ticket to come here and heckle me, it all goes to the Danielle Collins Fund. Bring it. I love him.”