Australian Open 2025 results: Danielle Collins thanks fans for "paying my bills" after she was heckled in second-round win

In the second round of the US Open, Danielle Collins defeated Australian player Destanee Aiava. After the match, she thanked the fans who booed her during the game, humorously stating that their actions were actually "paying her bills." After defeating Aiava 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 to advance to the third round, Collins made a gesture of covering her ears and blowing kisses to the audience, who responded with boos.

Collins, 31, said she "loves" the hostile atmosphere at Kia Arena and believes it motivated her against Aiava, who is ranked 195th in the world. She also stated, "One of the best things about being a professional athlete is that the people who don't like you, who hate you, are actually paying your bills."

Collins explained, "My career is not going to last forever, so I remind myself every day that when I'm in these situations [with negative audience reactions], they're actually paying my bills. Every single person that buys a ticket to come here and boo me or do whatever they want, their money is going into the Danielle Collins fund."

Collins also revealed that the A$290,000 (approximately £147,500) prize money she will receive for reaching the third round at Melbourne Park will be used for a "five-star trip." She said, "My girlfriends and I love a five-star vacation, so I can guarantee that check will be going towards our next five-star trip – hopefully to the Bahamas. We love boats, we love big boats, we love yachts, and we will be posting about it, so you guys can see how it goes." Collins will next face compatriot Madison Keys.

After announcing her retirement at the end of the 2024 season, Collins returned to the tennis circuit in early 2025. She has been battling endometriosis, a condition that can affect fertility. She told BBC Sport in May that starting a family is "one of her biggest goals outside of tennis."