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Destanee Aiava Says 2026 Will Be Her Final Season, Denouncing Tennis Culture in Blistering Post

She frames the decision as the culmination of long‑running mental‑health struggles after years of disillusionment with the sport.

Overview

  • The 25-year-old announced on Instagram that this season will be her last on tour, calling time on a professional career that began after early promise at Casey Tennis Club.
  • In the post, she used explicit language to rebuke critics and described tennis as a “toxic boyfriend,” alleging the sport hides racist, misogynistic and homophobic attitudes behind tradition.
  • Her statement followed a rough start to 2026 that included first‑round exits in Canberra and Australian Open qualifying and a wave of social‑media abuse she labeled “twisted,” “disgusting” and “disrespectful.”
  • Aiava has previously disclosed a 2022 suicide attempt, subsequent panic attacks and a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, which she has linked to childhood trauma.
  • She reached a career‑high ranking of No. 147, won multiple ITF titles and a WTA 125 doubles event in Birmingham in 2025, earned a notable win over Aryna Sabalenka in 2019 and is currently outside the top 300.