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The evening at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park was about more than just tennis. With thousands of spectators jeering, cameras capturing every move relentlessly, and pressure mounting with every point, American tennis star Danielle Collins faced the crowd alone. Opposite her was Australian crowd favorite Destanee Aiava, cheered on by a charged home audience ready to jeer at every slip.
Danielle Collins overcame the hometown favorite Destanee Aiava, and later responded to the booing crowd with her own spirited flair. (Photo: Getty)
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But Collins is not one to stay silent.
Her victory celebration against Aiava formed one of the Australian Open's most controversial images. Her sarcastic smile, a teasing kiss blown towards the spectators, and an air of fearless confidence—everything seemed provocative to the Australian fans. And her post-match remark about using her winnings for a 'five-star vacation' only fueled the controversy.
(Photo: Instagram/@danimalcollins)
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The booing continued in the next rounds of the Australian Open 2025... and then came the social media images of the luxurious vacations she herself dubbed a 'five-star vacation.' From there, media and fans coined her new moniker—the Australian Open Villain.
(Photo: Instagram/@danimalcollins)
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Yet, off the court, this 'villain' is revealing a completely different story. At 31, Danielle Collins expresses her desire for marriage and a family, though finding love hasn't been straightforward.
(Photo: Instagram/@danimalcollins)
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Despite fame, wealth, and recognition, her personal life struggles with emptiness. She's resorted to dating apps, with numerous messages flooding in, yet most often dismissed. 'It's like finding a needle in a haystack...' she says.
(Photo: Instagram/@danimalcollins)
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Success, Often Shrinking Relationships
Collins attributes it to an uncomfortable truth—gender bias. She observes that success expands options for men, while it constrains possibilities for women. 'Often, men find successful women intimidating,' Collins notes. In her experience, this fear, this hesitation, is a daunting hurdle in the path of relationships.
(Photo: Instagram/@danimalcollins)
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A Relationship Broken, a Decision Reconsidered
Recently, Collins ended a year-old relationship. She planned to retire in 2024 and start a family, but health issues like endometriosis altered her decisions. Despite physical pain and mental uncertainties, she chose to continue her career.
(Photo: Instagram/@danimalcollins)
Source: aajtak
Is 'The Bachelorette' a Possibility?
In her quest for love, Collins humorously admitted she might consider a reality show like 'The Bachelorette' if the price is right. Nonetheless, she acknowledges that dating several contestants on a show is against her nature. 'I am a slow-mover,' she confesses...and perhaps, it's this candidness, this authenticity, that makes her uniquely human.
