Danielle Collins thanks ‘super drunk’ booing fans for spurring her to victory
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The American faced a boisterous crowd in her win over local hope Destanee Aiava but says ‘energy is a good thing’. On a day of a new attendance record at Melbourne Park, the world No 11, Danielle Collins, was booed and jeered in her win over local hope Destanee Aiava, the latest intervention at the Australian Open from boisterous and often intoxicated crowds in a sport known for its civility.
![[Jack Snape]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2023/07/11/Jack_Snape.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The treatment appeared to affect the American, who shouted “shut up” to one fan during her tense 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2 victory, even blowing kisses to the stands and turning and slapping her bottom in post-match victory taunts. Afterwards she was one of a chorus of players who called for the volume to be turned not down but up. The endorsement comes as officials at the Australian Open look to attract non-traditional audiences to the sport, and players such as the “Special Ks” doubles tandem of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis encourage engagement from a new generation of tennis fan.
![[Nick Kyrgios (left) and Thanasi Kokkinakis during their doubles match against James Duckworth and Aleks Vukic.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/1d0a11d8d8cc558b7b87c2c8c9eac4c6cc981058/0_232_8034_4822/master/8034.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on,” Collins said after her victory. “It just motivates me even more, so it’s kind of a good thing, especially when I’m not playing that well.”. Aiava, whose mother played for the Australian rugby league team, said it was fun to play in front of the supportive crowd, and they created an atmosphere like a rugby league match. “It was very different, I think we could use a little bit more of that in tennis,” she said.
