Former finalist Danielle Collins is set to miss the 2026 Australian Open, sparking controversy with her remarks about fans last year. The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, is set to begin in mid-January at Melbourne Park in Victoria. Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending champion, will be aiming to defend his title in the men's singles event, having beaten Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev in the last two finals. Meanwhile, Madison Keys will be defending her women's singles title, having defeated WTA number one Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 final. Collins, who reached the final in 2022, is among the notable absentees from the 2026 entry list. She was booed by fans when she took on fellow American Keys in the third round of the 2025 tournament, after making controversial remarks about fans who heckled her during her round two win over Destanee Aiava. Collins said that the people who don't like her and the people who hate her actually pay her bills, and that every person who heckled her was contributing to the 'Danielle Collins fund'. Who will win the 2026 Australian Open? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And this is the part most people miss... What happened with Danielle Collins and the fans at the 2025 Australian Open? Collins has quite the history with the Australian Open, most notably having reached the final back in 2022. She lost to Australian icon Ashleigh Barty 3-6, 6-7(2-7). But here's where it gets controversial... Collins was subjected to boos by the fans when she took on fellow American Keys in the third round. Speaking after the loss, she said: 'I expected that obviously. That’s fine. I really do enjoy playing in these types of environments.' She added that 'you can’t please everybody', with many home fans now certain to be happy with her decision not to return next month. Who do you think will go furthest at the Australian Open? Share your insight in the comments below.
