"Life is not meant to be lived in misery and half assed, Aiava said in the statement. My ultimate goal is to be able to wake up every day and genuinely say that I love what I do which I think everyone deserves a chance at. 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."
"I want to say a ginormous fuck you to everyone in the tennis community who's ever made me feel less than, she said. Fuck you to every single gambler who's sent me hate or death threats. Fuck you to the people who sit behind screens on social media, commenting on my body, my career, or whatever the fuck they want to nitpick."
Destanee Aiava plans to retire from professional tennis at the end of 2026 and expresses deep disillusionment with the sport. Aiava characterizes tennis culture as racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to those who do not conform to traditional norms. She describes emotional exhaustion, feeling behind peers, and a desire to stop living in misery and realign with personal values. She condemns online trolls, gamblers who sent threats, and critics who targeted her appearance, results and outfits. She rejects the sport's so-called class and gentlemanly values and prioritizes wellbeing over continued sacrifice for tennis.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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