American Danielle Collins slams 'really drunk' Aussie crowd after 'pay cheque' sledge

American star Danielle Collins lost her cool on multiple occasions during her second round Australian Open match against homegrown talent Destanee Aiava.

The 10th seed and former finalist ended up clinching a three-set win over the Aussie qualifier, but it was almost secondary post-match.

Collins was going back-and-forth with spectators throughout the 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 win but it reached fever pitch as she celebrated.

READ MORE: Tomic games probed in match fixing investigation

READ MORE: Teen stuns Medvedev in five-hour epic

EXCLUSIVE: The moment American's toll job went 'too far'

The former Australian Open finalist raised her hand to her ear to egg on the crowd, before blowing them a kiss and gesturing for the crowd to kiss her bottom.

Her on-court interview was heavily booed by the fans, but Collins kept things going in extremely sarcastic fashion, riling them up even further.

"I was thinking through the match, I might as well just take that big fat pay cheque," Collins said while antagonising the crowd.

"Coco [Gauff] and I, we love a good five-star vacation so part of that cheque will go towards that so thank you. Thank you for coming out here and supporting us tonight.

"Thanks everyone ... thanks guys, love you."

Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand with centre court in 4K.

Earlier, the American stopped while in the midst of a service game to respond to the fans inside KIA Arena for jeering her after a fault.

"Shut up," Collins yelled into the crowd.

The boos from the crowd only rang out louder immediately in response.

"Please show some respect to both players, thank you," the chair umpire said.

Collins then shook her head as she returned to serve.

"The crowd certainly getting under the skin," David Basheer said on Nine.

LIVE UPDATES: Australian Open 2025, day 6 results and highlights

Collins later doubled down on her classless "pay cheque" sledge when speaking to media.

She was also told by a moderator not to swear.

"I loved it. I've been doing this my whole life. I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they're on," she said.

"It kind of just motivates me even more. So it's kind of a good thing, especially when I'm not playing that well.

"So I think it really helped me in the end. Just helped me concentrate more and challenged me at times.

"When I finally got momentum, I'm like, well, if I'm going to be out here for two-and-a-half hours, putting up with all these people, I might as well just take the bigger pay cheque, right?

"I was super happy to do that. One of the greatest things about being a professional athlete is the people that don't like you and the people that hate you, they actually pay your bills. It's kind of a cool concept.

"Obviously my professional career is not going to last forever. So I just remind myself every day when I have that kind of stuff, they're paying my bills.

"Every person that's bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me or do what they do, it's all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund."

Asked where she'd go on holiday with the money, Collins said it'd go towards a five-star vacation with the likely destination being the Bahamas.

"We like big boats, we like yachts. We'll post about it, and let you guys know about it," she continued.

Collins then suggested that "a lot of people were super drunk and had a hard time controlling themselves" before she was asked if it fazes her being known as the pantomime villain.

"All I have to say is good luck pissing somebody off or getting under the skin or somebody that doesn't ... can I say it?" she said looking at the moderator before she was told not to.

"Good luck trying to get under the skin of somebody that doesn't really care," she clarified.

The world No.10 will take on fellow American Madison Keys in the third round.

- with Lachlan Harper