‘Have a Little More Respect’- Danielle Collins Lashes Out at Noisy Fan in Novak Djokovic-Style as Heated Scenes Erupt at Madrid Open

If there’s a player that has gripped American tennis in the past few months, it has to be Danielle Collins. The 30-year-old WTA star is making sure that her farewell year on tour is worth remembering for herself as well as for fans. As part of her 2024 heroics, Collins managed to clinch both the Miami as well as the Charleston Open titles before heading to Europe for a clay-court swing.

Collins picked the Madrid Open as her first tournament after taking a much-needed break to spend time with friends and family. Seeded 13th, the American fought her way past Olga Danilovic in three tight sets in the first-round match. As fate would have it, Collins faced yet another difficult opponent in Jacquelin Cristian in the next round.

The American lost the first set against Cristian and was fighting her way to take control of the second before a chirpy fan decided to trigger her with his words. Known for her fiery attitude on-court, Danielle Collins didn’t waste time to give it back to the fan in her own style.

“You come out here and play. You do what I do. Okay, have a little more respect,” Collins clapped back, highlighting how it’s easy to comment from the audience’s seat but difficult to actually step foot on the court and not just play well, but consistently win. And it reminded many of another ATP star who has a complicated on-court relationship with fans.

Tennis fans might quickly recollect the World No. 1, who gets pumped up whenever the crowd gets vocal. Time and again, Novak Djokovic has had multiple tiffs with fans on-court and every time he made sure he had a perfect response.

Renowned as a fighter on-court, Danielle Collins bounces back to win the second set against Jacquelin Cristian and is leading 3-1 in the third.

UPDATE – After a harrowing battle, Danielle Collins has defeated Jacquelin Cristian, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1!

Recently, a similar incident happened with the Serb at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Engaged in an intense battle with Casper Ruud, Djokovic was finding it hard to beat his Norwegian opponent and could be seen shouting angrily at a rowdy fan in the stands, “Would you shut the f**k up.” 

Both Collins and Djokovic are staying true to their respective personas and we fans can’t help but let out a little smile to see them giving it back to fans without an ounce of hesitation.