Sports

Destanee Aiava: Samoan-Australian Tennis Star Returns to the Australian Open

Destanee Aiava is back at the Australian Open main draw for the first time in four years after a hard-fought 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 win over No. 23 seed Eva Lys in the final round of qualifying.

The 24-year-old Samoan's return to Melbourne Park is a major milestone, marking her first successful qualification since 2021.

Aiava's on-court improvements are matched by growth in her mental game.

Reflecting on her progress, Aiava told the press, “I think [the improvement] is more so my mentality. It’s really me getting out of my own way and actually not shying away from wanting to succeed in this sport. I know I’ve always had the talent and the hard work and all the other stuff. It’s just my brain.”

That shift in focus has been key to Aiava's recent success. Her victory over Lys follows a strong finish to 2024, capped by an eight-match win streak, including a title at the Brisbane ITF W50 event.

“It’s really me getting out of my own way,” Aiava told reporters, emphasising how much her mindset has evolved over the past year.

Having broken through at the US Open in 2023, Aiava is now firmly on track for one of her best seasons yet. As she heads into her fifth Australian Open appearance, the talented Aussie is ready to make the most of this momentum and continue to push herself higher in the rankings.

Aiava’s journey underscores the importance of mental strength and self-belief in tennis. With her renewed focus, she’s poised to take on more challenges and continue her climb up the WTA ranks.