Aussie tennis star Destanee Aiava calls out body shamer online during Australian Open qualifiers

Aussie tennis star Destanee Aiava has hit back at a body shamer online who told her to “lose some weight”, sharing the post to her own profile to call out the behaviour publicly.

Destanee Aiava has hit back at a body shamer online, calling them out publicly on X. Picture: Mark Stewart

Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava admits she was rattled by body shaming comments before powering her way through to the final round of Australian Open qualifying.

Aiava won her second round match 6-4 6-1 over the higher ranked Hungarian Panna Udvardy and now faces German Eva Lys for a spot in the main draw.

The 24 year-old from Melbourne hit back on social media platform X after a user stated that “she needs to lose some weight to get more quick on her feet”.

Aiava replied: “good job triggering my ED (eating disorder).”

good job triggering my ED ❤️ https://t.co/rQFvVp7kA8

— Des Aiava (@destaneeaiava) January 7, 2025

She also added: “not to hate or body shame and then you went and hated and body shamed.”

“It’s not nice to see those comments,’’ Aiava said.

“I don’t really look for them, sometimes I look my name up just to find photos of my matches and then I see the bad stuff. I’ve been told to bite my tongue but I don’t really like to.”

Aiava also courted interest after taking aim at Australia’s United Cup culture, saying she felt unwelcome in a “weird and hostile” team environment.

In a video she shared, titled “my honest experience and review of the week I had”, she opened up about her frustrations with the “poor” team dynamic and gave the experience a “2 out of 10”.

“I would say everything else was good, besides the actual team camaraderie,” Aiava said. “Would I recommend other people to play it? If you’re the No. 1 person on your team, go for it. If not, run for your life.”

On Wednesday she said she wouldn’t change the experience and used it as a learning curve.

“It taught me a lot and it’s done me wonders for this week even though I didn’t get a match to prepare,’’ she said.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be in a match and then on the day I was told ‘are you ready to play?’ That’s what my expectations rose to. Stuff happens, it’s a team event and I know they did the best they could.

“I didn’t mean anything malicious by it. I’m just the way I am, what you see is what you get with me.”

Destanee Aiava called Australia’s United Cup culture ‘weird and hostile’. Picture: Jason McCawley

Aiava, who is ranked just inside the top 200, said her confidence was building.

Wearing vintage outfits she’s found and purchased online, she said making the main draw would “mean everything”.

“I feel pretty good, I think my confidence has risen especially from US Open, I qualified there and I’m just trying to take that experience with me,’’ Aiava said.

“I’ve been in the same position before many times and I’m just excited. It will mean everything. I’ve worked so hard, had a big pre-season to prepare for this specifically. “This is my favourite slam, I’m an hour away from home so it will be the best (to get through).”

A teenage prodigy, Aiava still believes she has a big future after battling mental health issues.

“I do look back on it quite a bit and I sometimes feel a bit sad,’’ she said.

“I feel like I should be (up) there by now but I know everyone is on a different journey and it’s just coming to terms with that. Everyone is on a different path and I’m slowly getting back on track.”