Who is Danielle Collins? US tennis star's retirement U-turn and feud with world No. 1 revealed after Australian Open controversy
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Danielle Collins drew the scorn of the Australian Open crowd on Thursday as she blew kisses and boasted about her 'big fat pay check' after enduring boos from the crowd en route to beating Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava. But those who have followed Collins' career will know the 31-year-old is not afraid to be outspoken.
![[The American star boasted of claiming a 'big fat paycheck' by reaching the third round]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/14/94163683-14292259-The_American_star_boasted_of_claiming_a_big_fat_paycheck_by_reac-a-4_1737037704076.jpg)
The world No. 11, known to her devoted fans as the 'Danimal,' has clashed with the likes of Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari. And after arguably the best season of Collins' career in 2024 - which she initially said she would be her last - the St. Petersburg, Florida entered Melbourne with big expectations.
![[Collins claimed the first 1000-level title of her career when she won the Miami Open in March]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/14/94168293-14292259-image-a-5_1737037822242.jpg)
So what else is there to know about Collins?. Danielle Collins blew kisses to the crowd at the Australian Open after winning on Thursday. The American star boasted of claiming a 'big fat paycheck' by reaching the third round. Danielle Collins to the crowd after beating Aiava at Australian Open“During the match I was like, while I’m out here I might as well take that big fat paycheck.”The crowd is booing. It’s all happening. pic.twitter.com/b3pxejPHkc.
![[She also earned the best finish of her career at Wimbledon as she reached the fourth round]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/14/94168351-14292259-image-a-7_1737037939184.jpg)
Retirement U-turn. While the Aussie Open fans loudly booed Collins after she cupped her hand to her ear following her second round win, this didn't look like a tournament she would be part of a year ago. In January 2024, Collins announced that the forthcoming season would be her last on the WTA tour, as she cited her desire to have children.
![[Collins shared some tense words with Swiatek after their match at the Paris Olympics]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/14/94168305-14292259-image-a-6_1737037881531.jpg)
