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Australian women’s tennis player Destanee Aiava announced Saturday that the 2026 season will 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 on Instagram. She lamented being so young when she started to have a breakthrough at the start of her career when she was just 17.
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Destanee Aiava of Australia during her match against Danielle Collins of United States of America in the second round of the women’s singles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 16, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imagn Images)
She wrote that tennis gave her some of her best friends and she was able 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 ginormous f— you to everyone in the tennis community who’s ever made me feel less than,” her statement continued. “F— you to every single gambler who’s 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 the f— 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’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit its mould.
Destanee Aiava (AUS) reacts after winning a set against Greet Minnen (BEL, not shown) in second round qualifying play at Sobeys Stadium on Aug. 5, 2024. (Dan Hamilton/USA TODAY Sports)
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“Life is not meant to be lived in misery or half a–ed. My ultimate goal is to be able to wake up everyday and genuinely say I love what I do – which I think everyone deserves the chance at. I’m 25, turning 26 this year, and I feel so far behind everyone else, like I’m starting from scratch. I’m also scared. But that’s better than living a life that’s misaligned, or being around constant comparison and losing yourself.”
Aiava, then, thanked those who supported her career.
Destanee Aiava (AUS) serves the ball to Jasmine Paolini (ITA) (not pictured) on day one of the 2025 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 24, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
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She has 10 International Tennis Federation titles on her resume and is 269-178 in singles matches at this point. In Grand Slam events, she hasn’t made it further than the second round – which came during the 2025 Australian Open.
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