Tennis Star's Blunt Farewell: "F*** You" Message Marks Retirement at 25

Destanee Aiava, an Australian tennis player, announced her retirement from the sport on February 14. In a candid Instagram post, she criticized the tennis community and shared her struggles with the sport.

Criticisms of the Tennis Community

Aiava expressed frustration with those in the tennis world who made her feel inferior and criticized gamblers who sent her hate messages. She described tennis as a "toxic boyfriend" and condemned its culture as racist, misogynistic, and homophobic.

Reasons for Playing and Retiring

She shared that sometimes she continued playing due to obligations to herself and others who helped her career. At times, she was too scared to start anew outside of tennis or simply kept playing out of boredom.

Positive Reflections

Despite her criticisms, Aiava acknowledged the positive experiences tennis provided, including travel opportunities, friendships, and a platform to share her story. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 147 in 2017 and won numerous ITF singles and doubles titles.

Aiava also highlighted how she inspired young athletes of Samoan descent and thanked her supporters. She looks forward to a new chapter focused on purpose, creativity, and passion.