Danielle Collins at Australian Open. Danielle Collins at Australian Open.

Danielle Collins says she was just having fun while playing the villain at the Australian Open, but that the boos helped her focus despite defeat to Madison Keys. (More Sports News)

Collins knocked out Destanee Aiava, a home favourite, in the second round on Thursday, teasing the crowd by blowing kisses at spectators and cupping her ears when her victory was jeered. She also said fans who heckled her were contributing to "the Danielle Collins fund" which she would use to go to the Bahamas.

And she received a similar reception when she stepped out onto the court for her third-round match against childhood friend Keys, with boos ringing out in the Rod Laver Arena.

Collins did not play up to the crowd in the same way on Saturday and suffered a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Keys in 81 minutes.

"It is a great honour to be nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award again," the Indian defender stated in a Hockey India release.

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India Win Gold Medal In Hero Asian Champions Trophy Moqi China 2024#hact2024#asiahockey pic.twitter.com/UgHJdtbgh9

She lost her serve at the start of the first set and failed to recover, but looked to be back on track as she took a 3-0 lead in the second. However, Keys drew level with two successive breaks and nosed back in front to advance to the next round.

Collins, who had originally decided to retire in 2024 before reversing that decision, said she enjoyed the reception.

"I expected that [the boos]," she said. "I really do enjoy playing in these types of environments, that's what you work so hard for your entire life.

"I embraced it, and it was good. It got me fired up at times and got both of us focused.

"I don't have a big ego when it comes to this. I don't care what's written about me and I don't care what some guy living in his basement is writing on the Internet.

"I'm just trying to have fun, to enjoy my life and have fun with it. All my friends on tour thought I was - they knew I was just being me and trying to make humour of the situation."

10th W of 2025 @Madison_Keys | #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/k1Tp4BRTel

— wta (@WTA) January 18, 2025

Keys, meanwhile, registered her 30th win at the Australian Open with victory over Collins, the second tournament in which she has reached that milestone (33 at the US Open). In the last 10 years, nobody has reached the fourth round of the competition more often than her (six, level with Simona Halep).

She has already registered 10 wins in 2025, having triumphed at the Adelaide International prior to this tournament.

"It's always difficult [against Collins]. We've played each other since we were 12. She's a fighter, and she leaves everything out there so it's hard," Keys said in her on-court interview.

"I've been playing some good tennis; I've always really loved playing in Australiarich 888, and I've had some really great success here. Being able to win another title in Australia and to be in the fourth round is amazing."