Pasifika-Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has condemned a "racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile culture" in the sport on announcing her retirement from the game.
The former world no.133 and 14-time ITF title winner took aim at the sport, some fans and those in the broader tennis community for problems in the game's culture and personal attacks she received in a post on social media.
She said tennis had been like her "toxic boyfriend".
2026 will be her final year on the professional tour.
Aiava also thanked the Pacific Islander community, her loyal fans, sponsors, family, friends and positive influences during more than 20 decades in the sport.
The Australian-born junior star with Samoan heritage said she had often wondered what her life would be like had she chosen a different path, and had been "unprepared and dangerously naive to the consequences of trusting the wrong people" at 17 years of age; around the stage of her breakthrough to make it big.
She recounted her challenges pushing herself to continue building her career.
"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," Aiava wrote.
She said at times she'd stayed in tennis "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".
Aiava also wrote the sport has given her some things to look back at more fondly.
"The places I've travelled that people only dream of visiting," she continued.
"Some of my best friends. A platform to share my story. Even the time I had zero dollars because I'd spent it all trying to 'make it'.
"And it also took things from me. 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."
She later hit back at online trolls and gamblers who attacked her. Some of the messages she received included "hate or death threats", she wrote.
Aiava referred to tennis as "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," Aiava continued.
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Speaking on ABC News Breakfast following her announcement, Aiava said racism had come her way from a young age - including from parents and opponents - and continued through her career to the present.
She said she wasn't surrounded by "people like me" through her career and that personal scrutiny had come in waves online - while also calling for more support to players.
"There needs to be something done," she told ABC.
Aiava also recently took to social media slamming a fan who had attacked her talent and career, as well as her body.
In 2024 an International Tennis Federation and Women's Tennis Association report revealed 12,000 abusive posts and/or comments were reported to online platforms.
During the 2026 Australian Open she wrote two decades and a few "dusty plates" felt like "a waste of time".
"This feeling will pass in time but f*** rn (right now) it feels like a deep dark hole I can't get out of, maybe that's what sport does to you," Aiava wrote on January 22.
Aiava bowed out of this year's Australian Open in the first round contesting doubles.
At the 2017 Australian Open, aged 16, Aiava became the first player born in the 2000s to feature in the main rounds at any Grand Slam.
She lodged her first win at a major in the 2025 Grand Slam at Melbourne.
Announcing her 2026 retirement at the weekend she wrote: "Life is not meant to be lived in misery or half assed. My ultimate goal is to be able to wake up everyday and genuinely say I love what I do - Which I think everyone deserves the chance at."
"To the Pacific Islander community — thank you," she added.
"I am deeply humbled I have been able to inspire young girls and boys who look like me, to not be afraid to chase their dreams — no matter what the room looks like. Without you, there wouldn't be me. I am proud to have been one of the few you saw on a stage that wasn't built for us.
"I am proud to have made history for our people. And I am proud of where I come from — because of all of you."
At time of publishing it appears officials are yet to comment on Aiava's post.
