Melbourne (AFP) – American tennis star Danielle Collins sarcastically thanked Australian Open hecklers for “paying my bills” after she defeated home hope Destanee Aiava in a tense, three-set clash on Thursday. Collins, 31, blew kisses to the fiercely partisan crowd, cupped her ear, and even pointed to her backside after a stormy 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-2 victory over Aiava, the last Australian woman in the draw.
“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. It’s kind of a cool concept,” said Collins. “Every person that’s bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me or do what they do, it’s all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund.”
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Collins was booed for her antics, which included shouts of “How about that!” that accompanied her celebrations after converting match point. Melbourne-born Aiava, ranked a lowly 195 in the world, crunched 25 winners and even sensed a famous victory when Collins required a medical time-out in the second set for treatment to a foot injury.
In the decider, Collins saved a break point at 3-2 down before reeling off the last four games of the tie. “I loved it. I’ve been doing this my whole life,” said the world number 11, who was runner-up in the 2022 Australian Open final to another home star, Ashleigh Barty. “I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on. It just motivates me even more. Bring it on. All I have to say is seriously, good luck trying to get under the skin of somebody that really doesn’t care.”
Collins will face compatriot and world number 14 Madison Keys for a place in the last 16. Keys also needed three sets to defeat Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse 7-6 (7/1), 2-6, 7-5.
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