Destanee Aiava leaves tennis to escape a toxic and racist environment.

At 25 years old, Destanee Aiava has decided to put an end to her professional tennis career, opening up about the toxic culture that permeates the sport and the devastating impact it has had on her mental health and well-being. The Australian tennis player, who once promised to be one of the rising stars on the circuit, described her experience as a rollercoaster of opportunities and traumas, reflecting on the highs and lows of life on the Tour. With a current ranking of 320th, Aiava reached her peak in 2017 when she achieved the 147th position and made her Grand Slam debut, becoming the first player born in 2000 or later to compete in a main draw tournament.

Aiava, who in 2019 secured a notable victory over Aryna Sabalenka, then ranked 10th in the world, did not hesitate to acknowledge the positive aspects of her career, such as the travel, friendships, and the platform she had to inspire others. However, she did not hide the sacrifices that tennis demanded of her, affecting her physical health, family ties, and self-esteem. “Tennis gave me many things I am grateful for. The places I visited. Some of my best friends. A platform to share my story. And it also took things from me. My relationship with my body, my health, my family, my worth as a person,” she vented.

The tennis player described tennis as a controlling presence in her life, admitting that she struggled to define her identity outside the courts. “I also didn’t know who I was outside of tennis and what my true passion was. I was constantly searching for what gave me peace instead of pain. In other words, tennis was my toxic boyfriend.” With a firm and determined voice, Aiava launched scathing criticisms at the tennis community, expressing frustration over online harassment and the structural inequalities in the sport. “I want to say a huge f**k you to everyone in the tennis community who ever made me feel inferior,” she fired back. “F**k you to every bettor who sent me hate messages or death threats.”

Her words became even more incisive when she addressed the culture surrounding tennis: “F**k you to the people who hide behind screens on social media, commenting on my body, my career, or whatever they want to criticize. And f**k you to a sport that hides behind supposed classes and values of chivalry. Behind the white outfits and traditions, there exists a culture that is racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and hostile to everyone who doesn’t fit its mold.”

Despite the harsh criticisms, Aiava highlighted the positive impact she has had as a role model for young athletes from less privileged backgrounds. “I am deeply grateful to be able to inspire boys and girls who look like me, so that they are not afraid to pursue their dreams—regardless of what the environment is like. Without you, there would be no me. I am proud to have been one of the few you saw on a stage that was not built for us.”

Aiava’s decision to step back was presented as a statement of her autonomy, emphasizing the right to seek fulfillment beyond sports. “Life is not meant to be lived in misery or mediocrity. My ultimate goal is to wake up every day and truly be able to say that I love what I do – something that everyone deserves to have the chance to experience,” she stated.

In her reflections, the tennis player also addressed the emotional impact of competition, describing the disappointment and exhaustion accumulated over two decades in the sport. “The only way to sum this up is disappointment. Two decades and a few dusty trophies. It all just feels like a waste of time. This feeling will pass with time, but to be honest, it feels like a deep, dark hole that I can’t get out of. Maybe that’s what sports do to you.”

In closing her statement, Aiava expressed gratitude to everyone who supported her, including family, friends, sponsors, and fans, while signaling her intention to move forward on her own terms. “I don’t know what this year will look like or where tennis fits into it. What I do know is that this chapter will end on my terms. And I am truly grateful to the people who supported me without trying to change who I am. I look forward to stepping into the next phase of my life – one guided by purpose, creativity, and passion. Goodbye, Destanee.”