Source : ABC NEWS
American 10th seed Danielle Collins will be remembered for her post-match gesture to Melbourne’s parochial crowd, than her second-round victory over Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava.
Collins, who was a beaten finalist to Ash Barty in 2022, was tested by the unfancied Aiava in a 7-6(7-4), 4-6, 6-2 win.
But the talking point of the night came after match point, when Collins goaded the crowd who had seen their local hopeful defeated.
As the boos rang out across Melbourne Park, Collins continued to taunt. She blew kisses to the crowd before then gesturing to the audience that they should kiss her backside.
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The boos were deafening after that gesture and continued as Collins attempted to get through her on-court interview after the win.
The American was asked about the plucky Australian and Collins started to heap praise on Aiava, before the booing led to her thanking the crowd for attending the match and boosting her prize money.
“I was thinking during the match, ‘if I’m out here I might as well take that big fat pay cheque’. CoCo and I, we love a good five-star vacation. So part of that cheque is going to go towards that — so, thank you, guys.”
The unsavoury moment comes in the wake of criticism against some of the behaviour from fans at Melbourne Park.
Former Australian player John Millman was critical of those who were cheering against fellow countryman James Duckworth in the hope his straight-sets loss to Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena would happen sooner.
Millman told the ABC Tennis Podcast the Australian Open crowd needed “more class” during the tournament.
“I felt really bad for ‘Ducks’, he’s a good mate of mine,” Millman told the ABC Tennis Podcast.
“You’re at your home slam and they’re cheering against you because they want to see the next match come on.
“I think that’s where you’ve got to have a bit more class. That’s what you have to deal with at the Australian Open.”
