On a day of a new attendance record at Melbourne Park, the world No 11, Danielle Collins, was booed and jeered in her win over local hope Destanee Aiava, the latest intervention at the Australian Open from boisterous and often intoxicated crowds in a sport known for its civility.

The treatment appeared to affect the American, who shouted “shut up” to one fan during her tense 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2 victory, even blowing kisses to the stands and turning and slapping her bottom in post-match victory taunts.

Afterwards she was one of a chorus of players who called for the volume to be turned not down but up. The endorsement comes as officials at the Australian Open look to attract non-traditional audiences to the sport, and players such as the “Special Ks” doubles tandem of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis encourage engagement from a new generation of tennis fan.

“I love playing in a crowd that has energy, regardless of what side they’re on,” Collins said after her victory. “It just motivates me even more, so it’s kind of a good thing, especially when I’m not playing that well.”

Aiava, whose mother played for the Australian rugby league team, said it was fun to play in front of the supportive crowd, and they created an atmosphere like a rugby league match. “It was very different, I think we could use a little bit more of that in tennis,” she said.

The Special Ks pulled out of their first round doubles match on Thursday due to Kokkinakis’s pec injury when trailing by a set to fellow Australians James Duckworth and Aleks Vukic, but not before an hour of entertainment on John Cain Arena. The casual, party-like atmosphere was underlined by one point when Kyrgios served before an “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” chant even had time to conclude.

Men’s world No 1, Jannik Sinner, handled a staunchly pro-Aussie crowd in his four-set victory over local wildcard Tristan Schoolkate, and said passion among fans is a positive. “It’s great for tennis, no? I think the goal should be to make tennis as big as possible,” he said.

Despite the positivity, this tournament has been marked by largely futile attempts from umpires to control noise, especially between first and second serve. During Wednesday’s clash between Jack Draper and Kokkinakis, the chair umpire Marijana Veljovic addressed the crowd at least half a dozen times, pleading with them for quiet and at one stage lecturing supporters to “respect the players”.

Crowds have flocked to the precinct this year, culminating in 95,881 coming through the gates on Thursday, eclipsing the single day record set last year. Craig Tiley, the Tennis Australia chief executive, said there were five times as many activities on offer this year compared with 2024.

Tournament organisers were criticised by some players last year after the addition of a two-story venue resembling an upmarket pub overlooking court six. Yet alcohol offerings have expanded this year and new bars have been built adjacent to the two main practice courts at Melbourne Park.

Collins said she was primarily targeted because she was playing an Australian, but alcohol was also a factor. “I think there were a lot of people that were super drunk and had a hard time controlling themselves and were really excited,” she said.

After his five-set victory over home favourite Kokkinakis, Draper was asked by a British reporter whether the crowd was the “worst” he had experienced. “People say obviously Davis Cup in Argentina or something like that, when they’re whistling and laughing in between [points],” he answered. “I think it’s the best atmosphere I’ve been in almost, for that [kind of experience]. I think it was fun to be a part of, to be fair.”

Collins said that ultimately whether fans boo or cheer her, they’re the ones paying her bills. “Every person that’s bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me or do what they do, it’s all going towards the ‘Danielle Collins fund’.”