‘Unworthy of being loved’: Australian tennis star reveals suicide attempt

Tennis star Destanee Aiava has revealed she tried to take her own life last month, saying she “did not want to make it” to her 22nd birthday.

Australian tennis star Destanee Aiava has revealed she attempted to take her own life last month, claiming she “did not want to make it” to her 22nd birthday.

Aiava, who currently sits at No. 463 on the WTA rankings, shared the devastating news to her Instagram followers, thanking them for their support and well wishes.

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She said she was planning to take her own life on the night of Easter Sunday, but people who were driving by stopped her and drove her home.

“I did not want to make it to my 22nd birthday, but I know my family and friends would be happy to know I’m alive on this day that’s meant to be special,” Aiava wrote.

“Sometimes people you come across in life can make you feel that you’re unworthy of being loved, but at the end of the day I’ve learnt, ‘God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it’.

“Thank you for sending your love and well wishes if you have today, Love D.”

Aiava, who was born in Melbourne, is coached by Nicol Kriz and achieved a career-high WTA rankings of No. 147 in September 2017.

The 22-year-old right-hander has accumulated more than AU$783,000 in career prize money to date.

She has competed in the Australian Open on five occasions, but has never progressed beyond the first round.

Earlier this year, Aiava qualified for the quarter-finals of an ITF tournament in Canberra before she was defeated by No. 6 seed Olivia Gedecki.