Tennis player Danielle Collins had a heated moment at the 2024 Monterrey Open when rowdy fans pushed her to the brink.
Frustration During Round of 16
During her Round of 16 match against Erika Andreeva on July 29, Collins, 30, became visibly frustrated after a group of fans began heckling both players. As the match moved into the third set, Collins, waiting for Andreeva to serve, threw her hands up in exasperation and addressed the fans directly.
“What in the world?” court microphones caught her saying. “I don’t get it. It’s not that hard to let us play tennis and, like, be supportive.”
Impact on the Match
The fans’ heckling ceased following Collins’ outburst, and she was able to finish the match. According to The New York Post, the disruption was quelled, and the focus returned to the game.
This wasn’t the first time Collins had confronted fans during a match. Earlier in the 2024 season at the Madrid Open, she had a similar moment when a fan attempted to distract her. Collins, who had been in the midst of a tense moment in the match, snapped back, “You come out and you play. Come out here and do what I do, okay? Have a little more respect.”
A Tough Loss for Collins
Despite her fiery spirit, Collins was unable to win the match, ultimately falling to Andreeva in three sets (1-6, 6-3, 6-3). It marked a tough loss for the American, who was the No. 1 seed in the event. It was also Andreeva’s first career win over a top-20 player.
Collins’ Olympic Experience
Collins, who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, had reached the quarterfinals before an injured stomach muscle caused her early exit. She later voiced her disappointment over the lack of adequate water at the Paris courts, calling it “really frustrating and sad.”
The 2024 US Open will mark the end of Collins’ career, as she has announced her retirement plans at the close of the year. She will look to end her career on a high note after a stellar season, having won the Miami Open and Charleston Open in March and April.