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Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava announced on Saturday that the 2026 season would be her last in a scathing statement about the sport posted on her social media.
Aiava, 25, described tennis as her “toxic boyfriend” in the statement posted to Instagram. She lamented being so young when she began to make a breakthrough early in her career when she was just 17 years old.
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Australian Destanee Aiava during her match against American Danielle Collins in the second round of the women’s singles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imagn Images)
She wrote that tennis gave her some of her best friends and allowed her to travel to places she only dreamed of. But she said the sport “took things from me,” including her relationship with her body, her family and her self-worth.
“I want to say a huge f— you to everyone in the tennis community who has ever made me feel less than,” his statement continued. “F— you to all the players who have sent me hate or death threats. F— you to the people who sit behind screens on social media, commenting on my body, my career, or whatever they want to nitpick. And f— you to a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values. Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that is racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit. its mold.
Destanee Aiava (AUS) reacts after winning a set against Greet Minnen (BEL, not pictured) during the second qualifying round at Sobeys Stadium, August 5, 2024. (Dan Hamilton/USA TODAY Sports)
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“Life is not meant to be lived in misery or half-heartedly. My ultimate goal is to be able to wake up every day and honestly say that I love what I do – and I think everyone deserves a chance. I’m 25, turning 26 this year, and I feel so far behind everyone else, like I’m starting from scratch. I’m afraid, too. But it’s better than living a misaligned life, or constantly being compared and getting lost.
Aiava then thanked those who supported his career.
Destanee Aiava (AUS) serves the ball to Jasmine Paolini (ITA) (not pictured) during day one of the 2025 US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
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She has 10 International Tennis Federation titles to her name and currently has a record of 269-178 in singles. In Grand Slam events, she has not gone further than the second round – which took place at the 2025 Australian Open.
