As Novak Djokovic pursues his 25th Grand Slam title at the ongoing Australian Open 2025, his performance on the court continues to shine. The Serbian superstar recently secured a spot in the fourth round after defeating Tomáš Macháč of the Czech Republic in straight sets (6-1, 6-4, 6-4). Alongside his on-court triumphs, Djokovic has also been vocal off the court, supporting Danielle Collins, who faced boos during her match against Destanee Aiava. The American, however, silenced the crowd with her spirited response and victory, earning Djokovic’s admiration.
"Big fan of Danielle Collins after that" – Novak Djokovic applauds her response
Danielle Collins found herself in the midst of an intense atmosphere during her second-round match against home favorite Destanee Aiava at Kia Arena. Despite the hostile crowd, Collins triumphed with a gritty 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2 win. Her response to the jeers was nothing short of defiant. Blowing kisses to the booing crowd and sarcastically remarking, “How about that?” Collins didn’t shy away from addressing the situation during her post-match interview.
"When I finally got momentum, I thought, ‘Well, if I’m going to be out here for 2 1/2 hours, putting up with all these people, I might as well just take the bigger paycheck,’" she quipped. Collins added humorously, "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."
Djokovic, no stranger to crowd confrontations, was quick to voice his approval.
"I loved her response. I loved it. Everything she said on the court, off the court. Big fan of Danielle Collins after that. I was before, but now? Big fan," Djokovic said with a smile. Comparing the situation to his experiences, he added, "I know exactly the feeling. I think she was funny, smart, and handled it really well."
Novak Djokovic himself had a lighter exchange with a heckler during his third-round victory. Responding to an interruption during his post-match interview, he joked, “Sorry, mate. I have a wife. We can have a drink, though.”
While Djokovic emphasized maintaining tennis’s traditions, he also welcomed changes that would make the sport more engaging. His support for Collins underscores his belief in players standing their ground and confronting challenges both on and off the court.