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Australian 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. He lamented being so young when he started to have a breakthrough at the beginning of his career when he was only 17 years old.
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Destanee Aiava of Australia during her match against Danielle Collins of the United States of America in the second round of the women’s singles at the Australian Open 2025 at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2025. (Mike Frey/Image Images)
He wrote that tennis gave him some of his best friends and that he was able to travel to places he only dreamed of. But she said the sport “took things away from me,” including her relationship with her body, her family and her self-esteem.
“I want to say a huge ‘fuck’ to everyone in the tennis community who has ever made me feel less than,” his statement continued. “Fuck you to all the players who have sent me hate or death threats. Screw you to the people who sit behind screens on social media, commenting on my body, my career or whatever they want to criticize. And screw you to a sport that hides behind so-called values of class and chivalry. Behind the white suits and traditions is a culture that is racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit into its mold.
Destanee Aiava (AUS) reacts after winning a set against Greet Minnen (BEL, not shown) in the second round qualifying match at Sobeys Stadium on 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 genuinely say that I love what I do, which I think everyone deserves the opportunity. I’m 25 years old, 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 misaligned life, or being surrounded by constant comparisons and getting lost.”
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 US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Image Images)
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He has 10 International Tennis Federation titles on his resume and is currently 269-178 in singles matches. In Grand Slam events, he has not made it past the second round, which came during the 2025 Australian Open.
