Collins has already earned £147,000 in prize money by reaching the third round, where she will face compatriot Madison Keys.

The 31-year-old, who reversed her decision to retire at the end of last season, doubled down on her incendiary on-court comments in her press conference.

“Well I’m going to be here for two hours, putting up with all these people, I might as well take the bigger pay cheque, right?” said Collins.

“I was super-happy to do that and one of the greatest things about being a professional athlete are that the people that don’t like you and that hate you, they actually pay your bills.

“It’s kind of a cool concept and obviously my professional career is not going to last forever and I just remind myself every day when I have that kind of stuff that they’re paying my bills.

“Every person that has bought a ticket and has come out here to heckle me can do what they do. It’s all going towards the Danielle Collins fund. So like, yeah, bring it on, I love it.”