MELBOURNE, Australia — Novak Djokovic recently shared his admiration for Danielle Collins’ reaction to the tough crowd at the Australian Open. After her victory over local favorite Destanee Aiava, Collins playfully blew kisses to the spectators and thanked them for helping her earn a “big fat paycheck” during her post-match interview.
When Djokovic was asked about Collins’ bold response, he smiled and said, “I loved it, everything she said.” He expressed that he is now a “big fan” of hers, noting, “I loved her response. I was a fan before, but this just made it bigger.” He appreciated her humor and intelligence during a challenging moment.
This tournament has seen several players face a rowdy Australian crowd. Brit Jack Draper even engaged the fans after a hard-fought win over Thanasi Kokkinakis, cupping his ear to encourage their reactions. Djokovic, while not playing an Australian opponent, still felt the heat from the crowd during his match against Tomas Machac. He found himself asking the umpire to intervene when the noise became distracting.
After the match, Djokovic remarked, “A few people here and there overstepped the mark.” He understands that some fans may have had a few drinks, which can lead to rowdy behavior. “It’s fine until it becomes constant provoking. At some point, you just have to respond,” he shared, indicating that he tries to stay composed but feels compelled to react when it gets out of hand.
Despite these challenges, Djokovic has suggested that tennis could benefit from a more lively atmosphere. He believes that adding entertainment during breaks, like dancers, could enhance the fan experience, similar to NFL and NBA events. “Why not consider doing something fun during the sets? It could help relax the players too,” he said with a smile.
While he values the tradition of tennis—particularly at iconic events like Wimbledon—he also sees room for improvement in other tournaments. “The U.S. Open knows how to entertain. I’m up for gradual changes. Maybe start with dancers,” he added, emphasizing his desire to introduce a bit of fun into the sport.
Next, Djokovic is set to face No. 24 seed Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round on Sunday. His journey continues as he navigates both the matches and the lively crowd in Melbourne.
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