Destany Aiava Announces Retirement Plans
Destany Aiava truly gives her all on the court.
The 25-year-old Australian tennis player shared on Instagram this past Saturday that she plans to retire at the end of 2026, delivering an emotional message to her followers.
Reflecting on her journey, she spoke about how a “toxic boyfriend” hindered her career.
“From the time I took my first lesson at Casey Tennis Club, tennis has been my life. Sometimes I wonder how different my life might have been if I chose another path, or if the sacrifices made were truly worth it,” Aiava expressed.
“There was a moment in my career when it felt like I was on the brink of a big breakthrough. The world was right there, and I felt invincible. I was just 17, but so unprepared and naïve about trusting the wrong people. After that, my career changed dramatically.”
She continued, stating that she kept playing because she felt a sense of obligation to herself and those who supported her over the years. Yet, she didn’t hold back when discussing those who wronged her.
“I want to shout out to everyone in the tennis community who has ever made me feel uneasy. To those hiding behind screens, commenting on my body or career—your negativity isn’t wanted,” she explained.
Aiava also critiqued the sport’s traditional values, stating that beneath the façade lies a culture filled with issues like racism and homophobia. “Life shouldn’t be filled with misery. My goal is to wake up loving what I do every day, and everyone deserves that,” she added.
Turning 26 soon, Aiava admitted she feels she’s lagging behind her peers. “Yeah, it’s a bit scary, but it beats living a life out of sync with myself, or drowning in comparisons,” she shared.
Currently ranked 147th in doubles, Aiava didn’t make it to the singles main draw at the Australian Open this year but competed in doubles with Maddison Inglis. This marked her last appearance at Melbourne Park.
In her major tournament history, she advanced to the round of 64 in singles at the 2025 Australian Open and won the WTA 125 doubles title in Birmingham last year with Christina Boucha.
Her retirement announcement follows recent criticism she received online, including derogatory comments suggesting she should quit tennis altogether.
“When faced with such negativity, we usually just block those accounts. I’ve been told not to engage, just to block,” Aiava mentioned, sharing her approach. “But today, I chose to see how far this person would go.”
