Tennis star Destanee Aiava retires from sport after ‘racism and homophobia’
Destanee Aiava (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has announced that she is retiring from professional tennis, citing a “racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile” culture within the sport.
In an Instagram post, the 25-year-old tennis star wrote: “2026 will be my final year on tour playing professional tennis.” She went on to say that “tennis was [her] toxic boyfriend”.
She thanked tennis for giving many things she has been grateful for, including friends, a platform and the opportunity to travel. But she also called out what the sport took from her, including her “relationship with [her] body, [her] health], [her] family” and her “self-worth”.
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“Would I do it all again?” she wrote. “I don’t know, but one thing this sport taught me is that there is always a chance to start fresh.”
She continued: “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,” she continued. “And f*** you to a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values.”
Aiava called out the culture within tennis, saying: “Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit the mould.”
She said: “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 also thanked the Pacific Islander community. “I am deeply humbled I have been able to inspire young girls and boys who look like me, to not be afraid to chase their dreams – no matter what the room looks like,” she shared. “Without you, there wouldn’t be a me.”
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