Danielle Collins Thanks Booing Australian Open Crowd for ‘Big Fat Paycheck’

Danielle Collins got the last laugh – and a “big fat paycheck” – at the 2025 Australian Open.

Fans didn’t hold back on Collins, 31, as she defeated Australia’s Destanee Aiava on Thursday, January 16.

The passionate crowd booed the American tennis star after she took down hometown favorite Aiava 6-2 – and Collins gave it to them straight away, kissing and grabbing the microphone to say: “Thanks guys, love you!”

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

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

“So it’s a good thing, especially when I’m not playing that well,” Collins said of being jeered by the crowd.

Collins said in a separate interview that the incident can be positive and negative. “I’m definitely someone who has to have a little bit of a fire, you know, under my ass. All of this just motivates me to do better.”

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According to AthleticCollins said of the boos during his press conference after the win. “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,” Collins told reporters. “It’s kind of a cool concept.”

Collins said she sees the shakeup as a win for her personal finances, according to the Athletic. “Every person that bought a ticket to come out here and fool me, it all goes to the Danielle Collins Fund. Bring it on. I love it.”