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Just weeks ago, Mirra Andreeva, now 17, reflected on the fan outrage she faced at just 14, recalling a horrid message she received from a stalker. “Look around because I’m going to find you, and I’m going to cut your arms,” the message read. And hey, it’s not a one-off in women’s tennis! From Emma Raducanu’s Dubai drama to Danielle Collins’s Australian Open backlash, the pattern is impossible to ignore now. Danimal is having none of it anymore. She is setting the record straight on the relentless criticism women athletes face. And she’s not sugarcoating it – just raw truth and real talk, as she always does.
The World No. 14 didn’t just embrace the role of Melbourne Park’s ultimate villain, she owned it. At this year’s Australian Open, she turned jeers into fuel, putting on a show that had Melbourne buzzing. During her second-round clash against the Australian native Destanee Aiava, the 2024 Miami Open winner gave hecklers a performance to remember: blowing kisses, cupping her ear, and even cheekily pointing to her backside after sealing the win. She even dished out a vintage Collins reaction: “If I’m out here, I may as well just take that big, fat paycheck.”
But the drama didn’t stop there for the American fairy. Walking into Rod Laver Arena for her 3rd round showdown with Madison Keys, she was greeted with heavy boos, however, she didn’t flinch. After the loss against the eventual champion, she delivered a mic-drop moment: “One of the greatest things about being a professional athlete is that the people who don’t like you and the people that hate you—they actually pay your bills.” And now, heading into Indian Wells against fellow American Hailey Baptiste, Danimal is shifting gears. This time, it’s not just about her: it’s about every woman in sports, as she speaks out on the relentless hate female athletes endure now and then.
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Speaking with the tennis journalist David Kane, the 31-year-old said, “Female athletes deal with a whole set of unique challenges that are different from what male athletes deal with. That’s not political; that’s just a fact. I don’t think we’re in a society where it’s embraced for us to stick up for ourselves, or wear our hearts on our sleeves, or play with emotions. I still think that it’s frowned upon if we display feelings of being upset or having a moment of passion on the court. I think a lot of those expectations that are placed on us are super unhealthy and unfair.”
After her fiery second round win against Aiava at the AO, Collins didn’t just brush off the noise, she also flipped the script. With her signature sass, she quipped about using that paycheck for a trip to the beaches of the Bahamas. And guess what? She made good on her promise.
On February 2nd, Collins took to IG, dropping ‘envy-worthy’ clips from her luxurious getaway at “Coral Sands Inn & Cottages” on Harbour Island. Her caption? “This five-star vacay brought to you by @coralsands_harbourisland ” A bold, unapologetic clapback, one that just might inspire female athletes across the world to rise above the hate and own their success.
And the fairy tale firestorm isn’t over yet, as Danimal just dropped another bombshell before the BNP Paribas Open. She once again proved her commitment to her principles with a powerful action, reminding everyone of her independent spirit.
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“Danielle Collins x richsport,” a collaboration to the spirit of womanhood in sport
Just days ago, a viral post on X had fans buzzing. It read: “Danielle Collins came out with some merch. ‘Play tennis. Cash checks. Repeat.’ The audio… the way she blew the kiss… the finger snap… There will never be another Danielle Collins. .” And now, tennis’s own maverick has made it official.
Friday marked the launch of Ms. Collins’s much-awaited tennis merchandise line, “Danielle Collins x richsport,” a collaborative effort with Richsport, a woman-founded, bi-coastal tennis accessories brand. And, in the same interview with Kane, she opened up about the partnership, sharing her vision, excitement, and unapologetic approach to the game, both on and off the court.
“For years, I’ve had so many fans reach out to me, saying, ‘Danielle, when are you going to do a merchandise drop? We need some “Danimal” Collins merchandise. I finally got to thinking about it like, ‘Yeah, let’s f—ing go! We’re doing this, and now’s the time. I’m somebody who likes to laugh at myself.I don’t take myself too seriously, but other people do! They look at a situation where I’m responding to poor behavior, and that gets treated worse than the offense itself.” Collins added.
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The American star, who is about to play her first match since the Australian Open at the Indian Wells, will be hoping to overcome her fellow countrywoman, Baptiste. Do you think she will advance far in the tournament in the California desert this time?
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