Destanee Aiava announces 2026 retirement, criticises toxic culture
The former teenage prodigy said he is grateful for the opportunity to travel the world, the friends he has made and the platform that comes with being a professional athlete.
But he acknowledged that the cost of the sport outweighed the benefits of continuing his touring life.
“It also took things from me: My relationship with my body. My health. My family. My self-worth,” she said.
“Would I do it all over again? I really don’t know, but what this sport has taught me is that there is always a chance for a fresh start.”
Destanee Aiava at the 2025 Australian Open.Credit: Christopher Hopkins
Aiava said there were many factors that contributed to it continuing for so long.
“Sometimes I kept playing because I felt like I owed it not only to myself, but to everyone who helped me throughout my career, to try to get back to where I belonged (on paper),” he said.
“Other times, I kept going because I was afraid to start over. Or I was bored. I didn’t know who I was outside of tennis and what my true passion was. I was constantly looking for what would give me peace instead of sadness. So tennis was my toxic boyfriend.”
Australian tennis player Destanne Aiava.Credit: g
However, Aiava said that he could no longer and did not want to continue playing professional tennis, but that he was proud to represent the Islander community on an international stage and make “history for our people”.
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Aiava said she’s looking forward to the next chapter, although she’s not quite sure what it is.
“I don’t know what this year will look like or where tennis will fit into this year. What I do know is that this chapter will end on my terms,” he said.
“And I really appreciate the people who support me without trying to change who I am.”
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