Australia’s Destanee Aiava has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 25 and claims she is turning her back on the game’s “racist, misogynistic,
homophobic and hostile” culture.
Aiava, who has Samoan heritage, will walk away from a sport she has likened to a “toxic boyfriend” at the end of the current season.
She announced her impending exit in an expletive-laden Instagram post in which she revealed she had been targeted by social media trolls.
Aiava, who has a career-high singles ranking of 147, said: “My ultimate goal is to be able to wake up every day and genuinely say I love what I do – which I think everyone deserves the chance at.
“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 took aim at “everyone in the tennis community who’s ever made me feel less than”, “every single gambler who’s sent me hate or death threats”, “the people who sit behind screens on social media commenting on my body, my career” and “a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values”.
She added: “Behind the white outfits, and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit its mould.”
Sky Sports has contacted the WTA for comment.
Aiava also expressed her gratitude for the opportunities tennis has afforded her, including the chance to see the world, make good friends and a platform to share her story.
Anisimova: Aiava retiring from sport is ‘disheartening’
Wimbledon and US Open finalist, Amanda Anisimova, said it is “heartbreaking” to see Aiava retire at the age of just 25.
“The post was disheartening, and it was sad to read,” said the 24-year-old American, who shot to fame by reaching the French Open semi-finals in 2019.
“I personally don’t know her story. I don’t know her that well. I’m not really sure what she was talking about in that aspect. I don’t know if she was talking more about the reactions she received on social media or people in tennis.
“I just don’t know enough in detail to be able to answer that question.
“At the end of the day it is heartbreaking she had that experience. Hopefully, maybe she’ll change her mind and have a restart in tennis. You never know.”
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