WATCH: Danielle Collins gives fans vulgar 'Kiss my a**' gesture in wild Australian Open celebration

Danielle Collins roared into the third round of the 2025 Australian Open on Thursday (January 16), but not before embroiling herself in controversy. Taking on local girl Destanee Aiava, Collins had to fend off the Aussie crowd as well, and it is safe to say the American ruffled some feathers by the end.

Collins took the opening set in Melbourne, winning 7-6(4) in a tiebreaker. However, the qualifier bounced back to take the second 6-4 in a surprising display of high-octane tennis. With all to play for in the final set, Collins held strong, winning 6-2 to close out the match.

However, towards the end, the crowd started getting increasingly antagonistic towards the former Australian Open runner-up, celebrating her double faults and cheering her errors. After the win, Collins gave back as good as she got from them, celebrating wildly.

In addition to blowing kisses towards the booing fans and holding up a hand to her ears in mockery, the American went one step further, giving them a vulgar 'Kiss my a**' gesture that made the crowd even more riled up.

On social media, the reception to the celebrations was mostly critical of the American, with fans calling her out for coming across as too aggressive.

Regardless, Collins will continue her run at the Australian Open up next against compatriot Madison Keys in the third round.

"All this just motivates me" - Danielle Collins on Australian Open crowd booing her

2025 Australian Open - Day 5 - Source: Getty

Speaking at her post-match interview, Danielle Collins shared her feelings on being booed, stating that it only motivated her to do better. The American joked that even if people hated her, it helped her pay her bills at the end of the day, and thanked the fans for helping her have a 'great day' at the Australian Open.

"It was a tough crowd, and I figured if I'm going to be out here, I better take home that bigger paycheck. Thanks for the paycheck, Australia," Danielle Collins said.

"I'm definitely somebody who needs a bit of a fire under my a**. All of this just motivates me to do better. It's a pretty amazing feeling as an athlete because the people who dislike or hate you pay your bills. That's a really rewarding feeling to be out here. It just feels like a really great day," she added.

Collins and her next opponent, Madison Keys, have met thrice on the WTA tour before, with Keys leading 2-1 in the head-to-head.