The world number 11 Danielle Collins, of the US, fended off Destanee Aiava in front of a crowd who were all very much behind the 24-year-old Australian as she played in her home city at Melbourne Park yesterday (January 16).
Danielle Collins hilariously gestured to the home Australian crowd to ‘kiss her ass’ (X/AustralianOpen)
For the entire two-hour-and-25-minute match, Collins was jeered as she took on the final Australian left in the tournament during their second round bout, and as the 31-year-old claimed victory, she shocked the crowd through a ‘vulgar’ gesture to those booing.
Taking to Twitter, the account for the Australian Open posted the short clip of Collins teasing the crowd after clutching the win. Captioning it: “Little bit of prime ‘Hollywood‘ Hulk Hogan about Danielle Collins post match!”
Yes, the WWE Hall of Famer would have been proud as she repeatedly shouted ‘How ’bout that!’ while gesturing to the crowd that she wanted to hear them cry, before blowing kisses and then after she walked behind the umpire she then kissed her hand and slapped her bum – as if to say ‘kiss my ass’.
A little bit of crowd teasing is brilliant to watch, but people were divided over her actions.
One bitter Twitter user commented: “The gasp was because we have manners down here unlike dumb, rude, brash Americans. Let’s see how she goes when she’s soundly beaten in the next round.”
Little bit of prime “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan about Danielle Collins post match! #AO2025
While another typed: “Danielle Collins is an [American] legend. Watching her antics is a great reminder why I love being an [American].”
And a third wrote: “She gagged them so bad when she told them to kiss her ass…you could hear the collective gasp.”
But not all Aussies were against her goading, one person suggested it was actually good for the sport – with tennis famously being considered a ‘gentlemen’s sport’.
Collins came out on top despite facing a cauldron of abuse (X/AustralianOpen)
One person penned: “I’m Australian. I have no dramas with this. Thought her villainy was awesome & tennis can do with these characters… well done Danielle. Come again & go even harder!”
A second questioned: “How can anyone’s reaction to her be anything but to laugh?! Like girl is COMEDY.”
“Elite troll. Sports needs villains,” added another.
Collins beat world number 165 Aiava by 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2, and at one point even turned to one fan to shout ‘shut up’ as the Australian Open bids to attract non-traditional audiences to its matches – meaning more drunk fans.
After the game both Collins and Aiava explained how much they enjoyed playing in such a rowdy arena.
“I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on. It just motivates me even more, so it’s kind of a good thing, especially when I’m not playing that well,” Collins said.
She added: “I think there were a lot of people that were super drunk and had a hard time controlling themselves and were really excited.”
While Aiava also said: “It was very different, I think we could use a little bit more of that in tennis.”
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Featured Image Credit: @AustralianOpen/X
Topics: Sport, Australia, World News
Joe Yates
Tennis star slammed and forced to apologize for ‘disrespectful’ behavior after ‘humiliating’ ball girl
Tennis player Yulia Putintseva was up against Jasmine Paolini in the US Open when she exhibited ‘terrible behavior’ towards a ballgirl
Tennis player Yulia Putintseva has spoken out after a video of her behavior towards a ball girl went viral on social media.
On Saturday (August 31), Kazakhstani professional tennis player Yulia Putintseva went head-to-head with Italian player Jasmine Paolini in the third round of the finals of the US Open at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
However, it was Putintseva’s interaction with a ballgirl opposed to her opponent which has ended up under particular scrutiny online.
Yulia Putintseva didn’t have the best game on Saturday (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
A Twitter user called Meredith Thompson took to social media to share a video of Putintseva’s interaction with one of the ballgirls.
The caption reads: “@PutintsevaYulia being a grownup today when losing to @JasminePaolini at @usopen.”
The footage shows Putintseva standing at the edge of the court with her hip popped, swinging her racket at her feet. A ballgirl then proceeds to bounce a ball over to her, however, the pro tennis player just stands there, not moving to catch it.
This happens for a second time, with Putintseva just looking down at the ball as another rolls past her, all while the ballgirl stands awkwardly waiting.
On the third throw, Putintseva catches the ball and then wanders back to the game.
And it hasn’t taken long for people to weigh in on the tennis player’s conduct.
@PutintsevaYulia being a grownup today when losing to @JasminePaolini at @usopen. @TheTennisLetter @andyroddick @BenRothenberg @josemorgado
One user said: “Ugly moment in the Putintseva vs Paolini match at the US Open. The ball girl tries tossing the ball and Yulia watches it bounce on the ground without moving.
“So many ball kids look up to these athletes. Let’s try to treat them kinder.”
“Completely disrespectful behavior, she is a horrible role model,” another added.
A third commented: “Who does Putintseva think she is …Terrible behaviour towards the ball girl !!!”
“Shame on her!!! Humiliation of a ball kid is the last thing you do on a tennis court..” a fourth wrote.
And Putintseva has since also taken to social media to apologize for her behavior.
Putintseva took to her Instagram story to apologize to the ballgirl (Instagram/ @yulia_putintseva)
In a since-expired post on her Instagram Stories, she offered an apology to the ball girl for ‘the way [she] was when she was giving [her] balls’.
She continued: “Honestly speaking it was not about her. I was really pissed at myself by not winning the game from the breakpoint and then got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts, that I was not even focusing on what’s going on and who gives me the ball…
“All the ball kids were doing amazing as always at the open.”
Paolini ended up winning the game 6-3, 6-4 and went into the fourth round.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@MerThomp
Topics: Social Media, Sport, Twitter, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Child actor dies in LA wildfires after being trapped in self-contained cottage
Rory Callum Sykes has died aged 32
Former child actor Rory Callum Sykes has died aged 32 amid the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, his mother has announced.
The Brit, who was blind and lived with cerebral palsy, starred in the British RTV show Kiddy Kapers back in 1998 and become a much-loved star.
He defied the odds amid the ongoing health battles, and even went on to learn to walk, run and see.
Shelley Sykes, Rory’s mother, took to Twitter on Thursday (January 9) to confirm her son had died after a blaze in his home.
Shelley with her son (Twitter/@shelleysykes)
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday,” she wrote on social media.
“I’m totally heart broken. British born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine & his grandmas birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum Sykes. @rorysykes was the founder with me of @happycharity a true humanitarian. He saw him self as the number one fan of @Apple & @tim_cook & most importantly an avid @RuneScape gamer!”
The mother added: “@rorysykes was born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking. He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica.”
Shelley went on to explain how Rory had his own cottage in Malibu, which ‘burnt down’ on Wednesday (January 8).
She continued: “I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water. Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day! He will be incredibly missed by @shelleysykes, mama his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie & all his online fans around the world!”
The former child actor has died (YouTube/10 News First)
Reports suggest Shelly drove a quarter of a mile to try and save her son after she was unable to get in touch with emergency services on the phone.
Speaking further to 10 News about her son’s passing, she said: “I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off. When the fire department brought me back, his cottage was burnt to the ground. He will be incredibly missed.”
Many have flocked to the comments section of Shelley’s social media post to pay their respects.
“I’m so sorry to read this news. What a traumatic experience for both of you. Sending my condolences,” one person wrote.
While a second added: “So heartbreaking I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”
Conversation13 Comments
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Malibu had evacuation warnings almost two days before this accident. Plans should have been made to get him out long before fire got the house. Sad situation…
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Why was the water turned off?
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I would of been devastated to be there with him and couldn’t get him out I think I would of wanted to go with him but that’s just me so so sorry beautiful boy I would definitely find out who turned the water off and charge them for your loss xx
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And yet again, the water was switched off
Featured Image Credit: Shelley Sykes/Twitter/10 First News/YouTube
Topics: Health, UK News, Celebrity, Australia, Wildfires, Property, US News
Callum Jones
Leonardo DiCaprio called out for ‘disrespectful’ act while being spotted in Fiji
The Don’t Look Up actor has faced backlash online for his behavior in a hotel in Fiji
Wolf of Wall Street actor Leonardo DiCaprio has been branded a ‘snob’ after a video of him at a hotel in Fiji went viral.
When he’s not starring in Martin Scorsese movies or dating women – as long as they’re under the age of 25 that is – Leonardo DiCaprio is doing pretty normal things like the rest of us. Sort of.
Alas, with being one of the most recognized actors on the planet, DiCaprio can’t exactly walk around without being noticed, however, in a bid to keep a low profile in a hotel in Fiji he’s since been slammed for, in turn, being ‘disrespectful’ towards a part of the island’s culture.
A video of the actor was shared to TikTok by @fijivillage yesterday (November 22).
The clip shows a figure – said to be DiCaprio – dressed in black joggers, a hoodie, a black cap and trainers walking through the lobby of a hotel.
The figure pops some sunglasses on and brings his phone up to his ear as he walks through, every person around him having apparently frozen in time, staring at him with their phones out.
Now, for the most part of the video, you’d feel bad for the actor and the fact he’s unable to get a shred of privacy simply walking through a hotel, however social media users have since pinpointed a moment towards the end of the clip which shows DiCaprio walking past a Fijian welcoming party who are singing, dancing, clapping and waving their hands.
DiCaprio walked straight past… (TikTok/ @fijivillage)
In Fiji, alongside Kava ceremonies, the country is also known performing certain songs and performances to welcome guests into the culture. And – as you should any country you go – it’s encouraged and considered respectful to embrace this.
Unfortunately, still glued to his phone, his head firmly looking down, DiCaprio walks past the welcoming party without so much as a second glance, out the doors and into a car waiting outside.
And it hasn’t landed well with those online.
A TikToker said: “And he totally ignored the welcoming effort.”
“LEONARDO – SHOULD’VE ACKNOWLEDGED THE FIJI WELCOMING PARTY,” another echoed.
A third commented: “Ohhh what a snob. At least he should have acknowledged the welcome by our country. No place like fiji.”
“Don’t waste your energy my fiji whānau, he’s so disrespectful omg,” a fourth added.
Although, another argued: “Maybe it’s his first Time in Fiji…Just let him be.”
And a final simply resolved: “Hats off to the welcoming team for the effort.”
UNILAD has contacted Leonardo DiCaprio’s representatives for comment.
Conversation4 Comments
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So a guy isn’t allowed to come and go in peace because he’s known? He didn’t ask for the welcoming party so I don’t blame him. Sweet of them to do but no something that should get done just because a celebrity is coming…
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Consider he might have had earphones, didn’t realise it was specifically for him, there’s a lot of explanations, but people like to be upset
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He was already there, heading out , not in.
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Imagine getting off of a plane surrounded by people your picture and then being called rude for putting your head down and walking 🤣
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/ @fijivillage
Topics: Celebrity, Leonardo DiCaprio, Social Media, Travel, Viral, World News, TikTok
Poppy Bilderbeck
Olympic table tennis athlete pulls off outrageous shot that ‘defies physics’ as he ‘snakes’ opponent in final
The incredible shot took place during the final in Paris
Olympic viewers think a table tennis athlete has ‘defied physics’ with a truly outrageous shot played in the sport’s final.
The one thing the Olympics does provide every fours years is the opportunity to watch sport you wouldn’t typically take an interest in.
Handball is one that comes to mind, with many viewers hooked on the sport despite not knowing the rules.
Table tennis is another and fans watching have been left shocked by a shot played by Swedish table tennis player, Truls Moregardh, playing against China’s Fan Zhendong in the gold medal match.
Moregardh was just two points away from losing in Paris when he played a truly outrageous shot.
Truls Moregardh produced magic. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
After a lengthy rally, the Olympian scooped a shot as the ball was just about to touch the ground.
The Swede even put some impressive spin on the shot before it bounced on Fan’s side of the net.
The ball then headed off the surface and gave Moregardh perhaps one of the most impressive points taken in table tennis at the Olympics.
After witnessing the incredible shot, the general sentiment on social media is it ‘defies physics’.
“Sweden’s Truls Möregårdh was on the verge of defeat in the table tennis Olympic final and said he wanted to do something fun for the crowd. This is so good,” one person penned on Twitter.
A second added: “Another angle and replay of the Snake 🐍 shot from Truls Moregard in the 🥇medal match. #TableTennis. And That smile at the end from both the players.”
A third quipped: “The physics of this ‘snake shot’ by Sweden’s Truls Möregårdh in table tennis at the Olympics final,” while a fourth simply said: “Wait a minute…wtf.”
A truly incredible shot. (Eurosport)
While the shot was incredible, it wasn’t enough for Moregardh to win the match as he lost 4-1 to his Chinese competitor.
Nonetheless, he still walked away with a silver medal and performed one of the most impressive table tennis shots you’ll ever see.
Elsewhere at the Olympics, Simone Biles had NFL legend Tom Brady’s jaw on the floor and he was wowed by her performance.
Many Olympic viewers have flocked to Twitter to discuss the wholesome moment.
“Legends recognize legends,” one person penned.
A second added: “A GOAT appreciating another GOAT”, while a third quipped: “All the other sports GOATs coming to see the gymnastics GOAT >>>.”
Biles spoke of her impressive 11 medal win by saying: “I accomplished way more than my wildest dreams, not just at this Olympics, but in the sport.
“So I can’t be mad at the performances… Competing then walking away with four medals. I’m not mad about it.”
Featured Image Credit: 9News
