Australian skilled tennis participant Destanee Aiava is breaking apart together with her sport — simply in time for Valentine’s Day.
“I need to say a ginormous f*** you to everybody within the tennis group who’s ever made me really feel lower than,” Aiava, 25, wrote through Instagram on Saturday, February 14, asserting her retirement. “F*** you to each single gambler who’s despatched me hate or loss of life threats. F*** you to the individuals who sit behind screens on social media, commenting on my physique, my profession, or regardless of the f*** they need to nitpick.”
She continued, “And f*** you to a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values. Behind the white outfits and traditions is a tradition that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anybody who doesn’t match its mould.”
She additionally in contrast the game to a “poisonous boyfriend.”
Naomi Osaka’s second spherical victory on the 2026 Australian Open ended with a really uncomfortable handshake together with her opponent, Sorana Cirstea. Following Osaka’s three-set victory on Thursday, January 21, the 2 gamers met on the web earlier than exchanging in a visibly tense dialog close to the chair umpire. Throughout the third set, Cirstea, 35, complained to (…)
“Generally I stored taking part in as a result of I felt like I owed it to not solely myself however to everybody who had helped me all through my profession, to try to get again to the place (on paper) I belonged. Different instances I stored going as a result of I used to be too scared to start out once more,” Aiava wrote. “Or I used to be bored. I additionally didn’t know who I used to be exterior of tennis and what my true ardour was. I used to be always searching for that factor that gave me peace as an alternative of grief. In different phrases, tennis was my poisonous boyfriend.”
The strongly-worded publish wasn’t all bashing the game. Aiava additionally shared her gratitude and acknowledged the optimistic aspect of her profession that coincided together with her adverse experiences.
“That stated, tennis gave me many issues I can solely be pleased about,” she stated. “The locations I’ve traveled that individuals solely dream about visiting. A few of my finest pals. A platform to share my story. Even the time I had zero {dollars} as a result of I spent all of it attempting to ‘make it.’”
Destanee Aiava
Matthew Stockman/Getty PicturesAiava reached a career-high world rating at No. 147 in 2017. She has received 10 Worldwide Tennis Federation singles titles, most lately on the Brisbane QTC Tennis Worldwide in November 2024. She’s additionally received 14 ITF doubles titles.
In 2016, she received the U18 Australian Championships, incomes a spot in the principle draw of the 2017 Australian Open and turning into the primary participant born in 2000 or later to compete in the principle draw of a Grand Slam match.
Aiava — who’s of Samoan descent — additionally paid tribute to the group in her assertion.
“I’m deeply humbled that I’ve been in a position to encourage younger girls and boys who appear to be me, to not be afraid to chase their desires — it doesn’t matter what the room appears to be like like. With out you, there wouldn’t be me,” she wrote. “I’m proud to have been one of many few you noticed on a stage that wasn’t constructed for us.”
She completed her publish by thanking the remainder of her group who supported her all through her profession.
“Thanks to everybody who’s been a loyal fan of mine, my sponsors, my household, my finest pals, my associate, my cats, and anybody who’s been a optimistic a part of this 21 12 months journey,” she wrote. “I don’t know what this 12 months will appear to be or the place tennis suits into it. What I do know is that this chapter will finish on my phrases. And I’m really grateful for the individuals who’ve supported me with out attempting to alter who I’m. I look ahead to moving into the following part of life — one led by objective, creativity and fervour.”