
“I’m improving each match this week and everything’s in good nick at the moment.”
— Destanee Aiava, 7 Feb 2020
» Aiava books Launceston semifinal
On court
- Won the singles and doubles events at the 2011 Australian Optus Championships
- In 2012, selected to represent Australia at the Longines Future Tennis Aces tournament in Paris; she went on to win the tournament. Her prize was a opportunity to hit with 22-time Grand Slam Champion Steffi Graf
- Went a sparkling 41-7 on the ITF junior circuit in 2014, winning five titles (including the U18 Canadian World Ranking Event Montreal)
- Reached the third round of the Australian Open junior championships in 2014 and 2015
- Represented Australia in Junior Fed Cup play in 2014 and 2015; both years competed in the competition finals, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico (2014) and Madrid, Spain (2015)
- In just her fourth ever pro tournament, reached the quarterfinals of the $15,000 ITF event in Melbourne.
- Upset No.3 seed Sara Tomic en route to the semifinals of the 18/u Australian Championships in 2015
- Advanced to her first final at the Canberra Claycourt International #1 in March 2016 after beginning the week as a qualifier
- Made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open at age 16, becoming the first player to be born in 2000 or later to compete in a major
Off court
- goal is to one day become world No.1 which inspires her to continually improve her game, much like her hero Roger Federer
- mother is a former rugby player; father is the Australian UFC coach
- started out playing soccer but got kicked off her junior team because “I wouldn’t pass the ball”
- nickname is ‘Des’
Year-end singles ranking history
2020 | 214 |
2019 | 197 |
2018 | 249 |
2017 | 150 |
2016 | 382 |
2015 | 674 |
Titles/Finals
Titles
2019 Canberra 25K ITF
2018 Osaka 25K ITF
2017 Perth #2 25K ITF, Mornington 25K ITF
Finals
2020 Launceston 25K ITF
2018 Canberra ITF, Cairns ITF
2016 Canberra ITF, Tweed Heads ITF
Destanee Aiava in the news
Rankings movers: Sanders, Popyrin hit new highs

2 March, 2021
Alexei Popyrin and Storm Sanders skyrocket to career-high rankings after breakthrough performances in Singapore and Adelaide.
Read moreAlexei Popyrin and Storm Sanders skyrocket to career-high rankings after breakthrough performances in Singapore and Adelaide.
Sanders records sensational Adelaide International qualifying win

21 February, 2021
Australia's Storm Sanders was among the winners in the first round of singles qualifying today at Adelaide International 2021.
Read moreAustralia's Storm Sanders was among the winners in the first round of singles qualifying today at Adelaide International 2021.
Draws revealed for Adelaide International 2021

21 February, 2021
The draws have been set for this week's Adelaide International, a WTA 500 tournament held at Adelaide's Memorial Drive Tennis Centre.
Read moreThe draws have been set for this week's Adelaide International, a WTA 500 tournament held at Adelaide's Memorial Drive Tennis Centre.
Tomljanovic, Stosur and Gadecki receive Adelaide International wildcards

20 February, 2021
Three more Australians receive main draw singles wildcards for next week's Adelaide International tournament.
Read moreThree more Australians receive main draw singles wildcards for next week's Adelaide International tournament.