Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has announced her retirement at age 25, citing a toxic culture within the sport she describes as 'racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile.' The 25-year-old, who has Samoan heritage, revealed her decision through an expletive-laden Instagram post, comparing tennis to a 'toxic boyfriend' she's walking away from.

Aiava, who reached a career-high singles ranking of 147, won 24 ITF Circuit titles across singles and doubles during her career. She made her WTA Tour debut at the 2017 Brisbane International and reached the second round of the 2025 Australian Open women's singles. Her final tournament appearance came in qualifying for the 2026 Australian Open, where she lost to Britain's Harriet Dart in the first round.

The retiring player directed criticism at 'everyone in the tennis community who's ever made me feel less than,' social media trolls who sent hate and death threats, and what she called a sport that 'hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values.' Aiava acknowledged tennis gave her opportunities to see the world and make friends but concluded the environment was no longer sustainable for her mental health and well-being.