Australian tennis star reveals racist epithets that led her to retire at 25

Days after announcing her stunning retirement from tennis at age 25, Australian Destanee Aiava opened up in an interview with CLAY about what led to her decision to make the 2026 season her last.

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Aiava’s father is of Samoan descent and her mother is from American Samoa.

“When I was little, there were crazy tennis parents at the tournaments and they would not be too shy to express how they felt out loud by calling me a ‘man’ or a ‘monkey,’ ” the Melbourne native said.

She added that she has been called “transgender” — but never insulted by other players in a locker room.

“That’s the reason why it creates a hostile environment because everyone just says it behind your back and then gives a fake smile when you’re passing each other,” she said. “I’m very big on energy and for the most part, whenever I was in that environment, the energy was just terrible.”

Aiava was ranked as high as No. 147 in singles on the WTA Tour in 2024, and No. 133 in doubles.

In 2019, she defeated Aryna Sabalenka, then the 10th-ranked player in the world, in The Netherlands.

Nonetheless, her feelings for the sport were laid bare in an expletive-filled Instagram post.

“I want to say a ginormous f–k you to everyone in the tennis community who’s ever made me feel less than,” she wrote. “F–k you to every single gambler who’s sent me hate or death threats. F–k you to the people who sit behind screens on social media, commenting on my body, my career, or whatever the f–k they want to nitpick.

“And f–k you to a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values. Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit its mould.”

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