Australian legend Pat Rafter reveals the real villain in Danielle Collins’ battle with Open crowds

Brash American star Danielle Collins angered many with her behaviour – and comments – during the Australian Open. But she’s not the true villain, according to tennis legend Pat Rafter.

Australian tennis great Pat Rafter has labelled rowdy crowd behaviour at the Australian Open as “disrespectful”, but believes the game is undergoing a period of transition as it ushers in a new generation of fans.

The two-time grand slam champion’s comments came as former American star Patrick McEnroe said Danielle Collins had “every right to be annoyed” with her treatment by the Melbourne Park crowds after her stoush with fans made headlines last week.

McEnroe revealed Collins’ on-court response to a parochial Australian crowd during her second-round win over local hope Destanee Aiava had made waves in the United States with cut-through on sports talk shows normally dominated by football.

Crowd behaviour has been a hot topic at this year’s season-opening grand slam after a match last week had to be moved due to the noise from the neighbouring “party” court 6, while British player Harriet Dart said more “respect” needed to be shown towards players.

Danielle Collins taunts the fans as she celebrates victory over Australia's Destanee Aiava. Picture: AFP

Asked for his thoughts on the crowd behaviour, Rafter said

“It’s been like that for a couple of years,” Rafter said.

“Sometimes I think it is disrespectful, sometimes I think it’s just part of the game, the transition of this generation – that’s what they want and this is the Australian Open.”

McEnroe, the president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, said tennis had to move with the times, but there was a line which crowds could cross.

“I think that it’s fun in Australia, it is a place where you see people come from all over the world, which creates a great atmosphere,” McEnroe said at a Laver Cup media call.

“But sometimes, I think Pat said it perfectly, it can go a little bit over the line.

Danielle Collins teases Aussie fans

“There are traditions in tennis that are important, that make tennis unique …. you have to move with the times, but I think there is also something about the quiet that happens in a great tennis match that is unique.

“I think we don’t want to totally lose that, while still pushing the game forward.”

Collins played the role of the Melbourne Park “villain” when she provoked the crowd after her win over Aiava.

The No.10 seed told the crowd to “shut up” during the match before letting the crowd know all about her win when she cupped a hand to her ear, blew kisses to the stands and slapped her backside after dispatching the Aussie qualifier.

Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter has leapt to the defence of American star Danielle Collins. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The former Australian Open finalist then provoked the crowd even more in her post-match interview when she told fans “thanks for the pay cheque”, which she said would be funding her next holiday.

The crowd did not forget her antics and Collins was booed off the court after losing her third-round match to fellow American Madison Keys on Saturday night.

McEnroe said he had found Collins’ reaction “ humorous”, but she had been within her right to respond to the crowd.

“People on sports talk shows in the US were talking about it and it’s pretty rare that happens in tennis, period, particularly now with what’s going on in the sports with the NFL and college football,” McEnroe said.

“Obviously Danielle had every right to be annoyed. I thought it was sort of humorous how she handled it, she obviously paid the price a little bit last night for getting booed when she came out on the court.

“So I think in some sense it is good for tennis to have characters like that and Danielle is a character and she is willing to speak her mind.”

ENDS

Originally published as Australian legend Pat Rafter reveals the real villain in Danielle Collins’ battle with Open crowds