Destanee Aiava announces retirement, calling tennis a racist, misogynistic, and hostile environment that eroded her health and self-worth.
SYDNEY: Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava (pic) announced her impending retirement, delivering a scathing critique of the sport’s culture.
In a social media statement, the 25-year-old described tennis as her “toxic boyfriend” and said she was looking forward to a fresh start.
“My life is not meant to be lived in misery and half-assed,” Aiava wrote, confirming 2026 would be her final year on tour.
She expressed a desire to wake up loving her work, a chance she believes everyone deserves.
Aiava, who reached a career-high singles ranking of 133, has frequently been targeted by online trolls.
Her retirement post hit back at those who sent “hate or death threats” and criticised “my body, my career, or whatever they want to nitpick”.
She used an expletive to condemn “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 the mould,” added Aiava, who is of Samoan heritage.
The former junior prodigy acknowledged gratitude for the travel and friendships tennis provided.
However, she stated the sport “took things from me. My relationship with my body. My health. My family. My self-worth”.
When asked if she would do it all again, Aiava replied, “I really don’t know”.
She concluded that one lesson from her career is that “there is always a chance to start fresh”. Tennis officials were not immediately available for comment.
