Danielle Collins labeled the viral fallout from an incident during her match against Emma Raducanu at the Strasbourg Open on May 21, 2025, as “really pathetic,” after confronting a cameraman for invading their personal space. The American, who defeated Raducanu 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 in a second-round clash, spoke out after her first-round win over Jodie Burrage at the French Open on May 27, 2025, emphasizing the need for respect in the workplace. Raducanu defended Collins’ actions, highlighting their mutual support despite the competitive loss.
The Strasbourg Incident
During a changeover in the third set, with the score tied at 3-3, Collins noticed a cameraman standing too close to both players as she attempted to refill her water bottle. She confronted the operator, saying, “I need to get water. We’re on a changeover. You don’t need to be that close to me and you don’t need to be on top of Emma. It’s wildly inappropriate.” Raducanu, standing nearby due to back discomfort, was inadvertently crowded as the cameraman tried to film Collins. Collins apologized to Raducanu during the moment and later explained she was advocating for both players’ space.
The incident, captured on Sky Sports, went viral, sparking mixed reactions. Some posts on X praised Collins for standing up for player privacy, while others criticized her outspokenness. Collins, after her French Open win, expressed frustration at the scrutiny, stating, “I think what happened in Strasbourg was just me asking for personal space at my workplace. I don’t know why that is even a topic of discussion, frankly.” She highlighted a perceived double standard, adding, “As a female, asking for personal space seems to be an issue for a lot of people. I think it’s really pathetic honestly that it’s even a topic of discussion.”
Raducanu’s Response and Match Context
Raducanu, who suffered a back injury during the match, took a medical timeout at 0-5 in the second set but fought back in the third, narrowly missing a 3-1 lead. She supported Collins’ stance, saying, “I was standing up because I didn’t want to sit down in the third set because of my back… She came to fill a bottle up and was saying how the cameraman was really close and it felt a bit inappropriate. That’s all she was saying.” Raducanu emphasized their cordial off-court relationship, noting, “Off the court, we are both cool. We can talk and have conversations,” and said Collins’ on-court intensity didn’t affect her, though it might unsettle others.
The match saw Raducanu start strongly, taking the first set 6-4, but Collins rallied, capitalizing on Raducanu’s 29 unforced errors and her own 36 winners. Collins’ fiery demeanor, nicknamed “the Danimal,” fueled her comeback, but her cameraman outburst stole headlines. Raducanu’s back issues, which sidelined her earlier in 2025, raised concerns ahead of her French Open loss to Iga Swiatek.
Broader Implications and Collins’ Stance
Collins, ranked No. 7, used the incident to spotlight ongoing issues of personal space for female athletes, arguing that technology allows for quality footage without intrusive proximity. She noted, “They don’t see the person go and stand right on top of Emma to get a good shot of me in about a two-to three-foot space.” Her comments echoed past confrontations, like her Australian Open 2025 clash with a heckling crowd, where she quipped about their boos funding her “big fat cheque.”
The incident sparked a wider conversation about respect in tennis, with posts on X noting Raducanu’s resilience amid the drama. Collins’ advocacy aligns with her history of outspokenness, as seen in her critique of Iga Swiatek’s post-match analysis. Her stance resonates with other athletes’ battles for respect, like Ons Jabeur’s French Open scheduling protests, or Coco Gauff’s focus under pressure.
Conclusion
Danielle Collins slammed the “pathetic” viral reaction to her confrontation with a cameraman during her 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Emma Raducanu at the Strasbourg Open, calling it a simple request for workplace respect. Raducanu backed Collins, confirming the cameraman’s intrusive proximity during a changeover. The incident, amplified by posts on X, highlighted gender-based scrutiny in tennis. Collins’ stance, like Littler’s, Grealish’s, Gauff’s, and de Minaur’s, underscores athletes’ fights for dignity. Collins advanced at the French Open, facing Olga Danilovic on May 29, 2025.
