Could more have been done? Uncomfortable questions raised by Destanee Aiava's retirement

Destanee Aiava competing at the US Open. (Getty/Elsa)

It was the retirement that stunned tennis fans, not just in its abruptness, but in the scathing manner in which the message was delivered.

At just 25, Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava recently announced that 2026 will be her final year on tour. While early retirements are not unheard of in sport, Aiava's decision has sparked a broader debate about the environment players face in modern tennis, particularly online abuse, gambling-related harassment and racism.

In a fiery Instagram statement posted in February, Aiava described professional tennis as a "toxic boyfriend" and criticised what she called a "racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile" culture within the sport.

Her comments were striking not only because of their bluntness, but because they exposed a reality many athletes quietly endure.

Abuse from the sidelines and online

Aiava's experiences highlight a darker side of professional sport in the social media era. According to the Melbourne-born player, she regularly received hateful messages online, including threats directed at her and her family.

She revealed that the abuse often intensified after matches, particularly from gamblers who had bet on the outcome. Even when she won, Aiava said she still received angry messages from people who had lost money betting on her matches.

At one point, the messages became so extreme that she said she felt anxious about stepping onto the court, not because of the opponent across the net, but because of what might appear on her phone afterwards.

"I was literally scared to step on the court," she said, describing the constant cycle of abuse that followed matches.

The issue is not unique to tennis. Athletes across many sports have revealed similar experiences, particularly since the growth of online sports betting. The direct line between gamblers and athletes, often through social media, has unfortunately created a new channel for harassment.

However, Aiava's case raises an uncomfortable question: if the problem is well known, why does it continue largely unchecked?

A young star who carried expectations

Aiava's retirement also carries emotional weight because of the promise she once represented. Born in Melbourne and of Samoan heritage, she burst onto the tennis scene as a teenager and became the first player born in the 2000s to compete in a Grand Slam main draw at the 2017 Australian Open.

Her career-high ranking of world No.147 came that same year, and she went on to win multiple titles on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit while regularly competing in Grand Slam qualifying events.

Yet like many players outside the top tier of the sport, her career involved constant travel, financial pressure and the emotional grind of life on tour.

The added burden of racial and online abuse — which Aiava said she faced regularly — only intensified those challenges.

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Not an isolated experience

While Aiava's post was unusually blunt, the issues she highlighted have been raised by other athletes before.

Players have long spoken about the mental toll of online abuse, particularly after losses. In tennis, where players compete individually and matches can swing dramatically, they often become direct targets for bettors who feel wronged.

Other players on the tour have also spoken out about disrespect and harassment online. Spanish star Paula Badosa, for example, recently criticised abusive messages she received following an injury retirement, describing the behaviour as "disrespectful".

Former player Steffi Carruthers Thomsen, who was the first Pacific woman to win a professional title in the ITF, said it was sad to hear of Aiava's experience, noting that abuse and body-shaming remain issues in the sport.

"I felt it before when I was on tour," she told RNZ.

"It's sad that someone so close to home and someone we know of has been impacted by something that she loves, which is tennis, and she's good at and has dedicated her life to."

World No.6 Amanda Anisimova also threw her support behind Aiava, stating she hoped the Australian might change her mind in the future.

"The post was disheartening, and it was sad to read," the 24-year-old American said to Sky Sports.

"At the end of the day, it is heartbreaking she had that experience. Hopefully, maybe she'll change her mind and have a restart in tennis. You never know."

Could tennis have done more?

Aiava's sudden retirement inevitably raises questions for tennis authorities, most notably the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the ITF.

In recent years, tennis governing bodies have introduced initiatives aimed at protecting players from online abuse. These include monitoring systems such as the Threat Matrix introduced in 2023, which tracks threatening messages and reports them to social media platforms or law enforcement.

But Aiava's experience suggests those measures may not go far enough, particularly for players ranked outside the top 100 who may not have access to extensive support teams or media protection.

Another issue is gambling. Tennis is one of the most heavily bet-on sports in the world, with thousands of matches played each year across different levels of the professional circuit. For players competing on smaller tours or in qualifying events, the scrutiny from gamblers can be intense despite the relatively modest prize money on offer.

Many players argue that the sport has not fully addressed the link between betting markets and the harassment directed at athletes.

The mental health dimension

Aiava also spoke about the toll that the constant negativity took on her mental health, revealing she struggled with eating disorders during her career.

For athletes who spend much of the year travelling alone, the psychological pressure of professional tennis can already be significant. When combined with public criticism and online abuse, that pressure can become overwhelming.

In recent years, sports organisations have increasingly recognised the importance of mental health support. However, critics argue that cultural change within the sport, particularly around how players are treated online, is still lagging.

A warning sign for tennis

Aiava's retirement may ultimately serve as a warning for tennis.

In her mid 20s, she is walking away from the sport not because of injuries or a lack of ability, but because she no longer enjoys the environment surrounding it.

That distinction matters.

If the next generation of players views professional tennis as a space filled with hostility, racism and relentless online abuse, the sport risks losing talent before those athletes have the chance to reach their potential.

Aiava herself suggested that her decision ultimately came down to happiness. After more than two decades in the sport, she simply wanted a life that felt healthier and more fulfilling.

Her story raises a difficult question for tennis authorities and fans alike: if a talented young player feels the need to leave the sport to protect her well-being, what responsibility does the sport bear?

The answer may determine whether Aiava's departure becomes a catalyst for change or just another warning that goes unheeded.

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