‘They Were Mean’ – Novak Djokovic and Danielle Collins Receive Fierce Support as Ex-Pro Slams Australian Crowd’s Hostile Treatment

It’s not a Grand Slam without a little drama, right? And you can always count on players like Novak Djokovic, Danielle Collins, and a fired-up crowd to bring the heat to the court. This time, however, it seems the drama wasn’t entirely centered on the players. Both Djokovic and Collins fought hard; Novak played through an injury while Collins aimed for her first Grand Slam win this year. Yet, the crowds were a tough bunch to please. And a certain former ATP pro was certainly taken aback.

On the men’s side, Djokovic faced Alexander Zverev in the semifinals after battling a hamstring injury from his previous match against Carlos Alcaraz. He believed he could push through the pain for a shot at his 25th Grand Slam title. Unfortunately, after losing the tiebreaker in the first set, he had to forfeit the match. Fans were upset, having paid to see this showdown between a 10-time AO champion and Zverev, who was vying for his first Grand Slam. In an unceremonious turn of events, they even booed the inured Nole as he walked off the court.

On the WTA side, Danielle Collins faced Aussie favorite Destanee Aiava in her third round. The 10th seed survived a brief scare to win 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 but raised her hand to her ear after winning match point—not to cheers but amid boos from the crowd. Collins later said, “You know I was thinking during the match, hmm, if I’m out here I may as well take that big fat pay check,” while sarcastically thanking the crowd for their disapproval. And while the post-tournament criticism has varied, an American veteran has chimed in with support for the players.

On the Tennis Inside-In podcast, Mitch Michals and Jan-Michael Gambill discussed how tough it can be for players dealing with rowdy crowds in Australia this year. Gambill remarked, “They were mean this year too! That crowd was mean! The crowd came to play; they picked their favorites and they went with it. That crowd reminded me of like the mean New York crowd you sometimes get.”

The US Open crowds are known for their wild energy but can also feel hostile at times. Nick Kyrgios has called them “noisy,” while Coco Gauff claims to draw energy from their support. It’s a lively mix that ever so often tips toward negativity. Gambill noted with a personal experience, “For me– it was always the Paris crowd; they didn’t like me very much, I don’t know why,” highlighting a surprising shift from typically friendly Aussie fans.

“Aussies are usually so friendly but there were a lot of hostile ones this year,” Gambill noted. “It was good for me; you know, it was something to talk about. It was Danielle going crazy at them and them making an enemy.” He added that booing Novak as he got hurt was just a lot to take in. Historically, Novak has received strong support in Australia throughout his two-decade career and even called it his favorite country to play in because of that support. But after this edition of the Australian Open, Djokovic too was compelled to back Collins’ response on the court.

Novak Djokovic praises Danielle Collins’ retort to the disappointed crowd

On Thursday, January 11, Danielle Collins stepped onto the court ready to take on the crowd as much as her opponent, Destanee Aiava. After a thrilling match that ended with a score of 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2, Collins celebrated her victory in true showbiz style. Channeling her inner Hulk Hogan, she cupped her hand to her ear and blew kisses to the spectators, playfully mocking the rowdy crowd that had been firmly behind Aiava. Her cheeky “kiss-and-pat” moment became an instant highlight, proving she could handle the pressure with flair and humor!

Novak Djokovic, who advanced to his 17th Round of 16 at Melbourne Park after defeating Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, couldn’t help but admire Collins’ boldness. He responded in the post-match press conference, “I loved her response… everything she said on and off the court. Big fan of Danielle Collins after that. I was before, but now, big fan. I love it.” Collins herself noted that while some fans had gotten a bit too rowdy after a few drinks, she thrived on the electric atmosphere. “I loved it,” she said. “I’ve been doing this my whole life. I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on.”

The Australian Open may have wrapped up and players are shifting gears for the next leg of their 2025 season. But one can only imagine what kind of drama is on the horizon! Will we see more crowd antics or fierce rivalries heating up?