Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava, 25, has shifted to netball after leaving professional tennis due to years of racism, sexism, and death threats.

New Chapter in Netball

Aiava shared her latest update on Instagram, announcing her first netball training session on Thursday night. “I have a little update for everyone,” she posted. “I actually have my first netball training session on Thursday night, which I’m so excited for. Super random for people who don’t know me, I know.”

She explained her long-term plan: “My plan was always to find a team sport to play when I did finish. I always said if I wasn’t playing tennis as my sport, I would be playing netball.”

Images show Aiava already practicing on the netball court, marking a smooth transition from individual tennis to team-based netball.

Reasons for Leaving Tennis

Aiava turned professional at age 17 but endured a decade of abuse, including racist comments and death threats. In a recent statement, she described tennis as her “toxic boyfriend” and criticized its culture.

“Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit the mould,” Aiava stated.

She quit with a strong message, signaling her frustration with the sport’s inclusivity issues.

Career Highlights and Future Plans

During her tennis career, Aiava secured 10 ITF Tour titles and reached a career-high ranking of 147. Fans have expressed support for her netball move, with comments like “Sounds like a great transition. All the best” and “Netball, I’m here for it.”

This year brings more changes for Aiava, including her upcoming wedding to longtime partner Corey Gaal, whom she has known since their teenage years.