A U.S. tennis player has earned the title of the ‘most disliked player in the game’ following an incident where she was observed slapping her own backside and taunting the audience at the Australian Open, who were backing the local underdog.
Danielle Collins’ celebrations of her victory over home hopeful Destanee Aiava were slammed as ‘lacking class.’
After triumphing over the Australian qualifier with a score of 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 in the second round of the women’s singles competition, Collins placed her hand to her ear and sent kisses towards the spectators.
The American was then seen slapping her backside before rounding on home fans for booing her in a post-match interview.
‘While I was playing the match, I thought, ‘since I’m here, I might as well collect that hefty paycheck’,’ expressed Collins as she faced jeers during her on-court interview.
‘We love a five star vacation, so a big part of that will go towards that.
‘So thank you guys, thanks for coming out here and supporting us tonight. Thank you guys, love you.’
Bild reported that she has become the ‘most hated player in the sport’, while Australian news site said Collins ‘lacks class.’
The American, the tournament 10th seed, doubled down in another interview court side.
Collins, who made the Australian Open final back in 2022, has already scooped £147,000 ($USD180,000/AU$290,000) in prize money by reaching the third round.
The 31-year-old, who reversed her decision to retire at the end of last season, doubled down on her on court comments in her press conference.
Collins said: ‘Well I’m going to be here for two hours, putting up with all these people, I might as well take the bigger pay check, right?’
‘I was super happy to do that and one of the greatest things about being a professional athlete are that the people that don’t like you and that hate you, they actually pay your bills.
‘It’s kind of a cool concept and obviously my professional career is not going to last forever and I just remind myself every day when I have that kind of stuff that they’re paying my bills.
‘Every person that has bought a ticket and has come out here to heckle me can do what they do. It’s all going towards the Danielle Collins fund. So like, yeah, bring it on I love it.’
When asked about her holiday plans, Collins expressed a desire to have a luxury trip to the Bahamas.
‘Me and my girlfriends we love a five-star holiday so I can guarantee that next check is going to go towards a five-star trip, hopefully to the Bahamas.
‘We like boats. Big boats. We like yachts. Yeah, we’ll post about it and let you guys know how it goes.’
Australian news site News.com.au pointed out that Destanee Aiava has openly admitted to struggling financially.
The world no.165 said after her qualifying and Round 1 victories gave her prize money of more than $200,000: ‘It means that I can bring someone to travel with this year, and I can afford to actually go to all the tournaments that I want to.
‘Financially tennis is so expensive. I struggle travelling on my own. The fact that I get to bring my fiancee with me and hopefully one of my family members to the big ones, it makes a world of a difference.’
Collins decision to hit back at the Australian crowd received was slammed by some on social media.
‘Does Danielle Collins not realise she is playing an Australian in Australia?’ one post read.
‘What does she expect the crowd to do? They’re going to support the home player, get over it.
‘Zero class from Collins tonight’.
Another added ‘Danielle Collins. Through to the next round without a semblance of class.’
Collins will now face an all-American match against Madison Keys in the third round of the tournament.
