Tennis Star Sparks Bizarre On-Air Feud with Player Over “Flirty” Remarks
A contentious figure in the tennis world, American player Danielle Collins, has ignited an unusual public spat with French tennis player Corentin Moutet, all stemming from comments made during a television broadcast at the Miami Open. Collins, who has a history of engaging with crowds and fellow players, has transitioned to a media role, and it appears her outspoken and at times controversial style has followed her.
The incident unfolded on the Tennis Channel panel, where Collins was a guest commentator. During a discussion about an event that occurred the previous day, Collins recounted an interaction with Moutet, much to the amusement of her fellow panellists.
According to Collins, Moutet had allegedly engaged in “cat-calling” and made suggestive remarks, specifically saying “give me a come on,” while warming up on a nearby court during the filming of the Tennis Channel show. Collins further claimed that Moutet’s advances continued after his match against Tomas Machac.
Collins then elaborated on her response to Moutet’s alleged behaviour. “I basically said to him ‘if you’re going to be flirting with me like that, you’re going to have to get a bigger serve’,” she stated a day after the initial incident. She went on to muse about the factors that attract her, suggesting it wasn’t about height or personality, but rather “big forehands and big serves.”
The American then connected the situation to a previous social media interaction, noting that Moutet had unfollowed her after a “viral dating profile” where she expressed a preference for taller partners, playfully referring to them as “short kings.” Collins clarified her stance, saying, “Come on people, you have to understand that I’m five (foot) 10 (inches) and for me it’s just a preference, it’s nothing against the short kings.”
She revealed that Moutet had initially been upset by this, messaging her and then unfollowing her. However, Collins added that he had re-entered her direct messages the previous night, inquiring if she had seen his match and his “big serves.” Despite his victory, Collins expressed doubt about any potential romantic prospects, stating, “I don’t think he has a chance (with me) yet. He would have to bring a lot to the table, so I don’t think it’s going to happen, but who knows.”
Moutet Fires Back on Social Media
The French player, Corentin Moutet, did not take kindly to Collins’ public commentary. Upon seeing her remarks shared online, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly refute her claims and express his displeasure.
“How can I unfollow you when I never followed you,” Moutet posted, accompanied by several laughing emojis. He directly addressed the Tennis Channel, questioning their decision to allow such commentary on air.
Moutet continued his rebuttal, stating, “You followed me. You asked me for mixed (doubles). And I’ve never even followed you.” He accused Collins of being willing to say anything for attention, adding, “You (are) ready to say anything so people talk about you… you should learn how to love yourself so you won’t have to do stupid things for people loves (sic).”
A History of On-Court Antics
This is not the first time Collins has been at the centre of a controversy. Australian tennis fans will recall her contentious behaviour during the 2025 Australian Open. While playing against local favourite Destanee Aiva in Melbourne, Collins engaged in a heated war of words with the crowd.
Following the match, she was quoted as describing the crowd as “really drunk” and sarcastically thanked them for the “big fat pay cheque.” Her actions at the time led to her becoming a public enemy for many in attendance.
Collins, a seasoned competitor, has had a significant impact on the tennis circuit. While her on-court performances have often been noteworthy, her outspoken nature and willingness to engage with her surroundings have frequently placed her in the spotlight for reasons beyond her game. Her recent foray into sports broadcasting suggests that her capacity for generating discussion, whether favourable or not, is likely to continue.
