Summer means different things to us all, but if you love a game of tennis then summer sure delivers. And sometimes it gives us more than just a hard-fought match – it can also serve up a conversation starter as to how we should behave, as both players and the crowd.   

The wind and rain made things challenging for the ASB Classic organisers in Auckland. Regardless, it was a great tournament with sold out crowds and some excellent tennis.   

I’ve only just started to watch tennis live over the last few years, and it’s become a summer must do. It’s a great sport to watch live, especially at the Manuka Doctor Stadium in Stanley St, because it’s such an intimate setting. We’re so well behaved here in NZ – it takes no prompts for the crowd to go quiet, and it can be a relief when a fan finally gets the courage to yell some encouragement between points.   

Getting hooked on the ASB Classic is the perfect lead into the Australian Open. A few hours each evening have drifted away while I’ve been watching on the telly, but with over 90,000 people heading into the Arena on some days, their behaviour can be a little rowdier than here in NZ.   

A lot has been made of US player Danielle Collins’ behaviour towards a hostile crowd a day or so ago, but really all she did was meet them halfway.   

Playing local favourite Destanee Aiava, the crowd was very obviously behind the Aussie, and this led to combative scenes between the crowd and Collins.  

Collins made the comment post-match that she thought there were quite a lot of “super drunk” people who had a hard time controlling themselves; but admitted she loved the energy, regardless of which side the crowd are on.   

During the match Danielle used that energy as motivation and wasn’t afraid to bite back, blowing sarcastic kisses and making a pretty brash speech at the completion of her win which was the equivalent to giving the middle finger.   

Was it classy? No. Was it the way you would like your child to behave? No. But do you blame her? No. It’s not fair to just criticize the player’s behaviour when she’s only matching the crowds.   

How much abuse would you put up with in the workplace? Sure, heckling is part of sport, but it works best when delivered with good humour or a light touch, not nastiness. If you’re doing all the work and others are firing abuse at you from the sideline, is it really any different to the abhorrent behaviour of online trolls? Good on her for being herself and not taking any, you know, crap.  

Collins has made herself the villain of the tournament. I doubt she cares. You wouldn’t get this from a young player establishing themselves on the circuit, but maybe Collins, who’s coming to the end of her career, is doing them a favour by challenging the crowd’s behaviour.   

It wouldn’t happen here – we're more passive and a little less exciting, but there’s nothing wrong with being respectful. I’d much prefer that’s the lesson we’re passing on to younger generations.