# @pinknews on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DUyhw8Ljcum
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/56346030-pinknews-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/719a886899.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-02-15T18:59:45.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** PinkNews (@pinknews) — https://gondola.cc/pinknews

## Caption

25-year-old Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has announced plans to retire from professional tennis, citing a ‘racist, racist, misogynistic’ and ‘homophobic’ culture within the sport.

Via an Instagram post on 14 Feb, Aiava wrote ‘2026 will be my final year on tour playing professional tennis.’

The athlete went on to say that ‘tennis was my toxic boyfriend.’

She called out haters and others within the sport, writing; “I want to say a ginormous f**k you to everyone in the tennis community who’s ever made me feel less than. [...] F**k you to every single gambler who’s sent me hate or d3ath 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 fuck you to a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values.’

Aiava called out the culture within tennis, saying; ‘Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit the mould.’

‘I’m 25, turning 26 this year and I feel so far behind everyone else, like I’m starting from scratch. I’m also scared. But that’s better than living a life that’s misaligned, or being around constant comparison and losing yourself.’

#tennis #sporting #retirement #homophobia #destaneeaiava

## Stats

- **Views:** 58,220
- **Likes:** 11,288
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 239

## Tags

sporting, retirement, homophobia, tennis, destaneeaiava

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