Former Australian, now New Zealand tennis star Destanee Aiava has claimed her first professional tennis tournament since coming out of retirement.
The 26-year-old initially announced her intent to retire from the sport in February citing a ‘racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile’ culture.
At the time Aiava, who failed to qualify for the Australian Open singles main draw this year, characterised the sport as her ‘toxic boyfriend’ who ‘hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values’ but is actually ‘racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile’.
But in June 2026 she performed a dramatic U-turn, confirming she would continue playing the sport after the end of the 2026 season.
With that decision also came Aiava’s announcement that she would no longer be representing Australia.
And now she has claimed her first pro title under the banner of her new nation as she won the W15 Brisbane without dropping a single set.
Destanee Aiava claimed her first title since switching allegiance to New Zealand
Aiava won the W15 Brisbane without dropping a single set
Destanee Aiava shared the heartbreaking story of texting her father about her life updates despite him being in a coma
Aiava also won the final with relative ease claiming a 6-2, 6-3 win over Australia’s Belle Thompson.
Aiava’s return to the court and subsequent success is a shining light in what has been a difficult period for the tennis star off the court.
In a post on her Instagram story, Aiava shared a heartbreaking story where she had texted her father about her victory.
In the story post she opened up that she had been texting her father despite him being in a coma.
Aiava had been sending her father the key updates from her life, hoping that he would be able to read them should he wake from the coma.
But she heartbreakingly admitted she had struggled with sending the text to her father about her brother, Toriq’s birthday.
‘At first I was texting dad updates hoping he’d be able to look through his phone and catch up on everything he missed,’ she wrote.
‘After missing my birthday due to his coma I got really angry and stopped sending my updates.
‘I was going to text him four days ago for T’s [Toriq] birthday but I knew he’d be p****d he missed both.
‘It is very weird grieving someone who’s still alive, and coming to terms with the fact that people can just become memories and you’re just supposed to accept it.’
Her father had been admitted to hospital back in April after he was admitted to the ICU with a fractured skull.
Aiava has since given a shattering update on Hassan Aiava, a strength and conditioning coach and exercise physiologist.
Destanee at the time shared her GoFundMe page on the update, where she wrote, ‘dad isn’t dead yet, but I feel like he has been for the past 10 days.
‘His doctors have said every single day the best case scenario for him is a complete vegetative state or not waking up at all.
‘They’ve recommended to take his breathing tube out so he’s in less discomfort and put into supportive care to see how long he can fight for before going into palliative care.
‘Unfortunately the decision isn’t mine or my brother’s as we’re not considered the first next of kin, but I know my father and I know what he’d want.
‘I was hopeful for a miracle but the longer this goes on the more angry I am getting.
‘Anyways, thank u for the messages guys, keep sharing and whatever happens, the proceeds will go to his recovery or funeral.’
