Rising tennis star Destanee Aiava is reveling in a significant career milestone, having reached the second round of the Australian Open 2025. However, her journey to the upper echelons of tennis has been anything but easy for the Samoan-Australian athlete.
Today, Aiava faces a formidable opponent, American Danielle Collins, the 10th seed in the tournament, marking the most crucial match of her career. The 24-year-old from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs opened up to Fresh Off The Field about the challenges of embracing her cultural identity in a predominantly non-Islander tennis community.
“Tennis is already a lonely sport… but not seeing people who look like me throughout my life has been tough,” Aiava shared on the podcast.
She frequently receives messages from Pacific Islander parents expressing their gratitude and saying, “Our children have started tennis because of you.”
“It’s heartwarming,” Aiava reflected. “Growing up, we mostly played rugby or netball. It’s quite different now, seeing more people like me in tennis.” After her thrilling three-set victory over Belgian Greet Minnen, Aiava secured at least $200,000 for reaching the second round at the Australian Open.
Yet, Aiava acknowledges the stark contrast in financial support between her and the top-ranked players. “It makes a world of difference when you’re ranked outside the top 100 and don’t attract the same sponsorships,” she noted.
Ranked 195 in the WTA standings, Aiava had to qualify for the main draw at Melbourne Park. At one point, she even contemplated selling her house to sustain her tennis career and nearly switched paths to pursue a fashion design degree.
‘I still say I’m Samoan Australian’ Aiava’s mother, Rosie, born in American Samoa, played rugby for the Wallaroos, while her father, Mark, of Samoan descent, was a competitive powerlifter before becoming a personal trainer.
When Aiava made her breakthrough as a teenager, her mother coached her to her first Grand Slam appearance in 2017.
“Whenever people ask about my ethnicity, I proudly say I’m Samoan Australian,” she told Fresh Off The Field.
Though she feels connected to her heritage, Aiava admits she didn’t grow up in a large Samoan family. “It feels strange being around other Islanders… I often feel like one of the few with a smaller family, and I can’t speak the language,” she shared.
Despite the lack of Islanders in her close circle, Aiava remains committed to staying authentic. “I try to balance being true to myself while inspiring the younger generation,” she explained.
Aiava has drawn international attention not only for her vintage tennis outfits reminiscent of Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic but also for her openness about mental health challenges.
“In tennis, it’s not common to discuss mental health openly,” Aiava said. “I wanted to change that by being vulnerable and honest about my struggles. It helps others feel less alone.”
Diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), Aiava believes this openness has made her less fearful of expressing herself.
While still eyeing a sportswear sponsorship, Aiava, who remains interested in fashion design, is focused on enjoying her current journey. “Enjoyment is key in any sport or endeavor,” she said. “It’s about having fun and loving what you do.”
