Collins tells Australian Open hecklers: ‘You pay my bills’

US tennis star Danielle Collins sarcastically thanked Australian Open players for “paying my bills” after she defeated home hope Destanee Aiava in a tense three-set encounter on Thursday.

Collins, 31, kissed the fiercely partisan crowd, sat by the ear and even pointed to her rear after a storming 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-2 win over Aiava, the last Australian woman in the draw.

“One of the biggest things about being a professional athlete is the people who don’t like you and the people who hate you, they actually pay your bills. It’s kind of a cool concept,” Collins said.

“Every person that bought a ticket to come out here and mock me or do what they do, it all goes to the Danielle Collins Fund.”

Collins was booed for his antics, which included shouts of “What about it!” which accompanied her celebrations after converting match point.

Melbourne-born Aiava, ranked a lowly 195 in the world, hit 25 winners and even tasted a famous victory when Collins required a medical time-out in the second set to treat a foot injury.

In the decider, Collins saved a break point at 3-2 down before skipping 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 no matter which 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 someone who really doesn’t care.”

Collins will meet compatriot and world number 14 Madison Keys for a place in the round of 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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