MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic has publicly supported Danielle Collins following her bold response to the crowd’s booing during her match at the Australian Open. This support is unsurprising, considering Djokovic’s history of engaging with rowdy spectators during his own matches, including a recent encounter at Rod Laver Arena.
Tennis, often seen as a genteel sport, has recently witnessed a shift towards a more vibrant and sometimes confrontational atmosphere. Spectators appear increasingly vocal, while players like Collins and Djokovic show they are not afraid to push back against unruly fans. Djokovic, who has secured 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, is known for addressing inappropriate comments from the audience, a trend that continued during his latest victory, just a day after Collins stood her ground against the jeers during her match against an Australian player at Kia Arena.
The 2022 Australian Open finalist, Collins, responded to the jeers by blowing kisses to the crowd and cheekily asking, “How about that?!” after her win against Destanee Aiava. Speaking to reporters later, Collins expressed her stance on the situation, emphasizing that negative responses from fans can also be a source of income for professional athletes. “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… it’s all going towards the Danielle Collins Fund. Yeah, bring it on. I love it,” she stated confidently.
Djokovic’s match against No. 26 Tomas Machac featured a memorable moment where he engaged with a fan from the stands. After securing victory, Djokovic cheekily gestured towards the crowd, as if to ask, “What do you have to say now?!” When another voice shouted out during his post-match interview, he jokingly replied, “Sorry, mate. I have a wife. We can have a drink, though.” He added with a light-hearted tone, “Maybe you had a few already.”
During his post-match press conference, Djokovic recognized the deep-rooted traditions of tennis that differentiate the sport from others. However, he indicated that some evolution could be beneficial, mentioning the potential for entertainment during breaks, similar to the NBA’s practice of featuring music and dancers. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum during matches and stated that he would not support allowing spectators to yell or distract players during points. “It wouldn’t be easy to go from one end to another extreme… and just let everybody say whatever they want to say,” he explained.
Ultimately, both Djokovic and Collins seem to appreciate the opportunity to engage with fans, even in adversarial situations. Their recent experiences underscore a transforming tennis atmosphere, highlighting that players have their voices and will rise to challenges from the stands.
