‘Tennis was my toxic boyfriend’: Aiava unleashes in retirement announcement

Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has announced her retirement in a scathing Instagram post in which she questioned whether the sport was worth the sacrifice and slammed a culture she said was “racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit the mould”.

The 25-year-old Melburnian confirmed 2026 would be her final year playing professional tennis, and said she would rather start from scratch than constantly be compared to others.

“My life is not meant to be lived in misery and half-assed,” Aiava wrote. “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 a 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, who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No.133, hit out at online trolls who have criticised her and sent her abusive messages. She also labelled tennis a sport that hid behind “gentlemanly values”.

“I want to say a ginormous f--- you to everyone in the tennis community who’s ever made me feel less than. 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 the mould.”

The former junior prodigy said she was grateful to have had the opportunity to travel the world, for the friends she had made and the platform that came with being a professional athlete.

However, she conceded the toll of the playing the sport outweighed the benefits of continuing life on tour.

“It also took things from me,” she wrote. “My relationship with my body. My health. My family. My self-worth.

“Would I do it all again? I really don’t know, but one thing this sport taught me is that there is always a chance to start fresh.”

Aiava said she had kept playing out of fear, boredom, and a feeling she owed it to those who had contributed to her success.

“Sometimes I kept playing because I felt like I owed it to not only myself but to everyone who had helped me throughout my career, to try and get back to where [on paper] I belonged,” she said.

“Other times I kept going because I was too scared to start again. Or I was bored. I also didn’t know who I was outside of tennis and what my true passion was. I was constantly looking for that thing that gave me peace instead of grief. In other words tennis was my toxic boyfriend.”

Aiava said that while ultimately she had decided not to carry on with professional tennis, she had been proud to represent the Pacific Islander community on an international stage and make “history for our people”. Aiava has Samoan and New Zealand heritage.

Aiava said she was looking forward to the next chapter in her life.

“I don’t know what this year will look like or where tennis fits into it. What I do know is that this chapter will end on my terms,” she said.

“And I am truly grateful for the people who’ve supported me without trying to change who I am. ”

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