Just four months ago, Destanee Aiava called tennis her “toxic boyfriend” and announced that 2026 would be her last year competing, but has since apparently changed her mind about retirement and also surprised by switching flags from Australia to New Zealand.
In February, Aiava shared an emotionally charged message on social media, extremely frustrated with life in professional tennis. “F—k you to a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values. Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit its mould,” the 26-year-old wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post.
However, her outlook changed in a blink. Already by March, she had decided to stay in the sport, announcing: “Life update: got accepted into my dream degree today, decided yesterday I’m playing again so let’s try to romanticise tennis, if you didn’t already know I’m just an indecisive girl but I keep it real and unhinged here, live love laugh.”
Recently, fans noticed a change on Aiava’s WTA profile, where a new flag appeared alongside her name. Once an Australian player, she is now listed as representing New Zealand.
According to reports, the change was made to honor her ailing father, Mark, a mixed martial arts coach who was born in New Zealand to Samoan parents. Mark suffered serious head injuries, including a brain bleed and skull fracture, and remains in critical condition. Aiava is said to have made the decision to fulfil a wish he had expressed prior to the medical emergency. Aiava’s mother, Rosie, is a former rugby player and kickboxer who was born in American Samoa.
Currently ranked No. 531, Aiava remains far from her career-high mark of No. 147. She endured a disappointing start to the 2026 season, losing her opening matches at both Australian events she entered in January. Nevertheless, she found some momentum in April, capturing a title on the UTR Pro Tennis Series circuit.
