US tennis star Danielle Collins has shown a wildly different side of herself to the one that caused mayhem at the Australian Open, explaining — after her latest victory — how she rescued a dog that was close to death.
Collins became public enemy No.1 in Australia during the summer when she gleefully wound up a raucous home crowd following her hard-fought win over local hope Destanee Aiava.
After winning that match, she cupped her hand to her ear and yelled, “How about that,” before blowing kisses to the crowd and slapping her backside.
She further wound them all up in her on-court interview, and later thanked them for the “big fat pay cheque” that would go towards her next holiday.
In her next match, Collins was mercilessly booed … but, after her latest victory in Miami, Collins cut a very different figure.
Collins is the defending Miami Open champion and is still alive in the tournament after defeating Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova 6-4 3-6 6-3 on Saturday (AEDT).
Following the match, she told the crowd a story about he she rescued a dog and was planning to adopt it
“The other night when we were leaving the stadium, we saw this dog curled up in the middle of the road. He got hit by a car,” Collins said.
“I was like, ‘We have to pull over.’ .. We took him out of the street.
“He’s been in the hospital now for two days. We’re hoping to adopt him and take him home.
“Right now he’s in critical condition at the animal hospital.
“If everyone can say some prayers for my new pet … his name is Crash, because he was in a car crash.
“Please guys, send good energy to my little baby … that would be great.”
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka’s Miami charge has continued with a gritty three-set win over American wild card Hailey Baptiste.
After dropping the second set, the former World No.1 found herself 4-2 down in the decider before storming home to win 7-6 3-6 6-4.
The win sets up a clash with Italian sixth seed Jasmine Paolini.
Paolini advanced when Ons Jabeur, trailing 4-3 in the opening set, had to retire with a left leg injury.
Osaka, who returned to action in January 2024 after a 15-month break during which she had a baby, said her fitness level was better now than it was in 2021 when she won the most recent of her four Grand Slam titles.
“I feel like I’m better than 2021. You know, COVID really set me back, I’m not going to lie. I was in the house doing nothing,” she said.
“But yeah, fitness-wise definitely the best I’ve been in a couple of years, for sure.”
Sabalenka, wrapped up the first set 6-1 before Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse was forced to retire with a right thigh injury.
– With AAP
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au