Novak Djokovic is “just a big fan” of Danielle Collins and says the way the feisty American – a pantomime villain at this year’s Australian Open – mocked rowdy fans at Melbourne Park was funny and smart.
The 10-time Australian Open champion had his own clash with at least one spectator during his third-round victory over Czech Tomas Machac on Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.
Collins, the player who Ash Barty beat in the final to win the 2022 Australian Open, clashed with spectators during her three-setter against Melburnian Destanee Aiava on the compact Kia Arena on Thursday.
Novak Djokovic makes a point to the crowd on Friday night.Credit: Getty Images
The American celebrated her victory by cupping her ear to the pro-Aiava crowd and repeatedly saying, “How about that?” before playfully kissing her hand and then slapping her backside as she walked to her chair.
The Kia Arena crowd showered Collins with boos – stopping only to cheer Aiava as she walked from the court, prompting Collins to grab the microphone in her post-match interview.
“I was thinking during the match, if I’m out here, I might as well take that big fat pay cheque and go on a holiday,” Collins said.
Former world No.1 Djokovic broke out in a big smile when asked about Collins and the way she handled the interactions with fans.
“I loved her response. I loved it, everything she said on the court, off the court,” said the 37-year-old.
“[I’m] big fan of Danielle Collins after that. I was before, but now, big fan – I love it.
“I think she handled it really well. I don’t think I would be that polite, and I know exactly the feeling. So I think she was funny, smart, and [I’m] just big fan of what she did.”
The 24-time grand slam champion was open to the idea of tennis continuing to evolve with the way spectators are treated.
“We have the history and tradition that we are proud of and makes our sport different from other sports, but at the same time I think we have been a little bit behind the other sports with changes and trying to keep the pace with the evolution of society and the new generation that we all know doesn’t have that much of a great attention span,” he said.
“For example, the last couple of years I think only that we have this new rule where people are able to come in even if it’s not a changeover.
“That’s one of the ways to really try to open up a bit more and not have strict rules.”
Djokovic did issue caution about tennis making wholesale changes too quickly and noted how the four slams take different approaches. The US Open – held in Queens, New York – “know very well what entertainment is about”, he said.
“[But] It’s not easy for players, I guess. I mean, from my side, [it’s] not easy to go from one end to another extreme and just let everybody say whatever they want to say – talk, scream during the point.
“We know Wimbledon is the most conservative.
“With Wimbledon I wouldn’t change much. I would keep it as it is because it’s so unique, all white and strawberries and cream, and everything about it is just so elegant and classy.”
During his on-court interview immediately after his clinical 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory to set up a fourth-round clash against Czech Jiri Lehecka, Djokovic was interrupted by a patron who he’d clashed with multiple times during the match.
“We can have a drink though. Maybe you had a few already,” Djokovic said of the heckler on Channel Nine.
“Him and I were going back and forth for quite a while.
“Listen, I’m happy to have a drink with him, now that the match is over.
“We can reflect nicely on what we said to each other during the match.”
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