Australian Tennis Star Deletes Social Media After Hate Messages
Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has retired at 24, citing relentless online abuse and death threats. She announced on X (formerly Twitter):
“I’ve made the executive decision to retire due to receiving hate messages, comments, and death threats after every single loss.”
Hours later, she deleted her social media accounts, emphasizing the severe toll of cyberbullying on her mental health and well-being.
Ongoing Mental Health Struggles
Aiava has long been open about her mental health battles. In May 2022, she revealed a suicide attempt in an Instagram post. She has also spoken about body-shaming, online harassment, and an eating disorder, worsened by constant criticism.
A Career Overshadowed by Abuse
Aiava’s career showed immense promise, with nine singles and 13 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. However, social media hate overshadowed her achievements, leading to an early exit from professional tennis.
Calls for Change in Athlete Protection
Her sudden retirement has sparked a debate on mental health in sports. Many athletes, fans, and experts demand stricter measures against online abuse to protect players. Aiava’s story is a powerful reminder of the dangers of cyberbullying in professional sports.
Destanee Aiava Retires from Tennis Amid Online Abuse, citing relentless cyberbullying, hate messages, and death threats that severely impacted her mental health. The 24-year-old Australian tennis star, once considered a rising talent, decided to walk away from the sport after facing continuous online harassment following her losses.
Aiava, who made history as the first player born in the 2000s to compete in a Grand Slam (Australian Open 2017), had previously opened up about her struggles with mental health. In 2022, she revealed a past suicide attempt and has since spoken out about body shaming and an eating disorder triggered by constant criticism.