The former junior prodigy said she was grateful to have had the opportunity to travel the world, for the friends she had made and the platform that came with being a professional athlete.
However, she conceded the toll of the playing the sport outweighed the benefits of continuing life on tour.
“It also took things from me,” she wrote. “My relationship with my body. My health. My family. My self-worth.
“Would I do it all again? I really don’t know, but one thing this sport taught me is that there is always a chance to start fresh.”
Destanee Aiava at the 2025 Australian Open.Credit: Christopher Hopkins
Aiava said she had kept playing out of fear, boredom, and a feeling she owed it to those who had contributed to her success.
“Sometimes I kept playing because I felt like I owed it to not only myself but to everyone who had helped me throughout my career, to try and get back to where [on paper] I belonged,” she said.
“Other times I kept going because I was too scared to start again. Or I was bored. I also didn’t know who I was outside of tennis and what my true passion was. I was constantly looking for that thing that gave me peace instead of grief. In other words tennis was my toxic boyfriend.”
Australian tennis player Destanne Aiava.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Aiava said that while ultimately she had decided not to carry on with professional tennis, she had been proud to represent the Pacific Islander community on an international stage and make “history for our people”. Aiava has Samoan and New Zealand heritage.
Loading
Aiava said she was looking forward to the next chapter in her life.
“I don’t know what this year will look like or where tennis fits into it. What I do know is that this chapter will end on my terms,” she said.
“And I am truly grateful for the people who’ve supported me without trying to change who I am. ”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.