Have you ever seen a tennis match that felt more like a Broadway play? Danielle Collins is definitely that kind of player! This past Thursday, she won a thrilling three-set match against Destanee Aiava at the Australian Open. But it wasn’t just her tennis that was entertaining – it was the whole drama! Collins faced a pretty hostile crowd in Melbourne, and instead of letting it get to her, she actually used their jeers to motivate herself. It was incredible! And now, she’s even involving her dog, Quincy, in the drama!

During the second round match, things got heated as Collins suffered a toe injury and dropped the second set. This had the crowd erupting in screeching cheers. In response, the feisty 31-year-old didn’t back down, blowing kisses, taunting them, and even gesturing that they could kiss her backside. Following the win, Collins took her battle with the crowd off the court and straight to the mic.

In her post-match interview, she sarcastically thanked the hecklers for their contributions: “Every person that has bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me or do what they do, it’s all going towards the Danielle Collins fund. Bring it on!” she said with a smirk. Her sharp tongue didn’t stop there.

With AU$290,000 ($180,000) in prize money already secured by reaching the third round in Melbourne, Collins teased her plans. She said, “Me and my group of girlfriends, we love a five-star vacation so I can guarantee that cheque is going to go towards our next five-star trip – hopefully to the Bahamas,” said Collins, who faced compatriot Madison Keys next. But ‘Danimal’ being Daminal, she has now taken the drama a step further!

On January 22nd, the 2022 Australian Open finalist shared a playful video on her Instagram story, which saw her pet Quincy regally sit on a plush carpet, soaking up all the attention like the true star he was. “This sophisticated gentleman wanted to thank everyone that also contributed to the Quincy Fund during the Australian Open. He will be having steak and lobster tonight and will also be attending the trip to the Bahamas,” the caption read.

Sparring with the crowd is nothing new for Collins. At the Madrid Open last year, the fiery American clapped back at a heckler mid-match against Jaqueline Cristian-which she later won 3-6, 6-4, 6-1-telling them, “You come out and play!” before firing an ace to win the point. And at this year’s Australian Open, Collins isn’t alone in her battles with the crowd—several stars have faced the feisty Melbourne faithful before her.

Recently, Novak Djokovic had his own heated exchange with the Australian Open crowd, launching an expletive-laden tirade during his third-round win over Tomas Machac. The Serbian star shouted at a heckler to “shut the f**k up, you f***ing idiot” after repeatedly pleading with the umpire to control the noise at Rod Laver Arena.

Daniil Medvedev also had his moment with the Melbourne faithful. Back in 2022, after his fiery win over Nick Kyrgios, where three-time AO finalist was constantly booed, he told Eurosport, “People who boo me probably have a low IQ.”

For Collins, her spar with the Australian Open crowd had even Novak Djokovic nodding along to her cheeky response.

Danielle Collins’ on-court bold demeanor is Djokovic-approved

Novak Djokovic, who was fresh off his third-round victory over Tomas Machac at the Australian Open on 17 January, loved ‘Danielle Collins’ bold response to the Melbourne crowd, which had playful kisses and witty remarks. Speaking to reporters, Djokovic was full of praise for how Collins handled the situation.

“I loved her response,” he said with a laugh. “I loved it, everything she said on the court, off the court. Big fan of Danielle Collins after that. I was before, but now, big fan. I think she was funny, smart, and just big fan of what she did.”

As Collins walked onto the court for her third-round match against Keys, she was met with boos from a significant portion of the crowd at Rod Laver Arena. After the match, Keys shared her perspective on how the crowd treated her opponent.

“I think I kind of knew what it was going to be like going out there, but it was just, yeah, I think the crowd was pretty pro me and not for Danielle [Collins],” she said. “I think they made that pretty clear from the start.” Danielle Collins’ stay at the Australian Open came to an end in the third round, losing to her fellow compatriot Madison Keys in a battle of 6-4, 6-4.

While the headlines may move toward to her on-court exit, her back-and-forth with the spirited Melbourne crowd left a mark.