Destanee Aiava announces retirement from professional tennis
Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava declared on Saturday that she will step away from professional tennis when the 2026 ATP Tour season concludes, delivering a scathing assessment of the sport in a candid Instagram post, reports BritPanorama.
The 25-year-old, who has claimed 10 ITF singles titles throughout her career, likened tennis to a “toxic boyfriend” in her farewell message. Her statement pulled no punches, opening with: “I want to say a ginormous f**k you to everyone in the tennis community who’s ever made me feel less than.”
Aiava also directed particular ire at online critics, writing: “F**k you to the people who sit behind screens on social media, commenting on my body, my career or whatever the f**k they want to nitpick.” She accused tennis of concealing deep-rooted prejudice beneath its polished exterior, stating: “Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit the mould.”
Aiava’s critique evokes years of frustration with an environment she believes excludes those who differ from conventional expectations. Her words represent one of the most forthright condemnations of tennis culture from a professional player in recent memory. Despite her evident frustration with the sport, Aiava expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a role model for aspiring athletes from similar backgrounds.
“I am deeply humbled that I have been able to inspire young boys and girls who look like me, to not be afraid to chase their dreams no matter what the room looks like,” she wrote, acknowledging the support she has received throughout her career. “Without you, there wouldn’t be me,” she added.
Aiava also stated her desire for genuine fulfilment, writing that her “ultimate goal is to be able to wake up every day and genuinely say I love what I do.” Her retirement announcement comes after a challenging start to 2026, having failed to qualify for the main draw at her home Grand Slam earlier this year, although she did compete in the doubles competition at the Australian Open alongside Maddison Inglis, where they suffered a straight-sets loss to Aldila Sutjiadi and Giulianna Olmos.
Having spent two decades in tennis, Aiava has articulated the personal toll that the sport can exact, describing her longstanding efforts as feeling like “a waste of time.” Her announcement highlights both the individual struggles within competitive sports and the broader issues that remain unaddressed within the industry. In expressing her frustrations, Aiava opens a dialogue about the culture of tennis, leaving it to others to reflect on what that might mean for the future of the sport.
