Destanee Aiava has announced she will step away from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season, publishing a blunt open letter this week in which she accused the sport of fostering a hostile environment. The 25-year-old said she will make 2026 her final year on tour and offered a searing assessment of the game she once pursued as a career.

Aiava recalled the early elevation of her career, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 147 as a 17-year-old in 2017 and becoming the first player born after the year 2000 to win a WTA main-draw match when she beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands at that year’s Brisbane International. She called that moment a turning point and admitted she was “unprepared and dangerously naive to the consequences of trusting the wrong people.”

She detailed five years of uneven results and mental-health struggles after that breakthrough, saying she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in 2022 following panic attacks and a suicide attempt. Aiava noted a brief resurgence last Australian summer, when she won a match at the Australian Open for the first time, contested a dramatic three-set match against Danielle Collins, and later qualified for the US Open. After rising to No. 148 last spring — one place shy of her career best — she is currently ranked No. 258.

In her letter she directed anger at those who made her feel diminished, delivering what she called a “ginormous [sic] f— you” to people who sent death threats and mocked her body and career. “Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit its mould,” Aiava added. “Life is not meant to be lived in misery or half assed. My ultimate goal is to be able to wake up everyday and genuinely say I love what I do–which I think everyone deserves the chance at.”

“I’m 25, turning 26 this year and I feel so far behind everyone [else], like I’m starting from scratch,” she wrote. “I’m also scared. But that’s better than living a life that’s misaligned, or being around constant comparison and losing yourself.” Aiava received a wave of support in her comments, including from Sloane Stephens, and closed her letter saying she looks forward to a life led by “purpose, creativity, and passion.”

Since the 2025 season concluded in November, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has been on a sustained public run of high-profile appearances that left little room for quieter pursuits as the Australian Open approached. The top seed, who credited James R. Doty’s Into the Magic Shop with helping her mindset in defending the US Open, admitted she has not progressed through her to-be-read list.

Q. You talked about reading that memoir Into the Magic Shop. Have you read anything else in the off-season, anything about mindfulness?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Not really. (Laughter.) I don’t know, guys. I’m terrible in reading books. I always follow how I feel, you know? That time I felt like reading. I wanted to disappear from the social media, just wanted to be by myself with the book. That time it worked perfectly.

Yeah, last couple of months, even more than that, been pretty busy. I didn’t even have time to, like, just sit back and just like have my moment with the book. So I haven’t ready anything.

Why I feel so embarrassed? Especially when other players reading nonstop. Well, I have to be honest. Like studying, reading, learning never been my weapon, so maybe that’s why I succeed in tennis, because this is the only spot was left for me (laughter).

When asked where she finds inspiration beyond books, she pointed to fans and the arts.

Q. Do you feel like you get inspiration from music, movies?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I get inspired by just seeing next generation cheering for me, get inspired by me. That’s my inspiration. Also I love listen music. I just brings me to another world where I can dream and think, yeah, and try to kind of like get better in a way. Also, yeah, movies as well. But also not enough time right now for movies.

On court, Sabalenka has been equally busy. She began 2026 with a winning start, collecting a second Brisbane International title. Reflecting on a hectic December she said: “I felt exhausted after Atlanta and New York,” she said of her hectic December schedule, “but I had one or two days off, so I felt recovered after. I had a great preparation. Then there is really high-intensity match against Nick, which is also part of my preparation.

“By the end of the pre-season, I felt really strong and ready.”

Episode 2 of The Big T podcast combined listener questions, new segments and candid conversation. Danielle Collins made an in-studio debut alongside Coco Vandeweghe, and the panel tackled topics ranging from player pet peeves to the Australian Open’s one-point event.

On the court, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka reminded everyone why she sits atop the rankings. The 27-year-old, four-time Grand Slam champion romped through the Brisbane draw, with no opponent pushing her past 6-4 in any set. The opening week also highlighted a scheduling quirk: all of the WTA’s Top 24 competed while four of the ATP’s Top 8 skipped the first week. Brad Gilbert, with Vandeweghe and Collins, offered a reason: “Most of the top women are much more active to start the year because you guys have 500 [level] tournaments.”

January’s calendar places Brisbane and Adelaide as WTA 500 events while the simultaneous ATP tournaments are at the 250 level. Later in the swing, Doha and Dubai are 1000 level for the women and 500 for the men, which gives the WTA more time in the spotlight early in the season.

Poland won the United Cup, but world No. 2 Iga Swiatek struggled, losing to Coco Gauff in straight sets and then to Belinda Bencic in three, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. Vandeweghe noted the toll January competition can take: “Coming into January, you’re supposed to be refreshed… And you’re already mentally frazzled.”

The episode also discussed the Australian Open’s 1 Point Slam, where recreational players could win large sums for scoring a single point against a pro. “I think if you have a big serve,” advised Gilbert, “go for big serve on first and second.” Vandeweghe observed that the format could tighten pros, and several stars failed to land their lone serve in the box.

A new segment, High-Percentage Tennis, produced spirited debate, including questions about coaching and speculation about future matches. “Will Juan Carlos coach a woman? No chance, there’s zero chance,” said Vandeweghe. Collins replied, “I’m gonna call him right now, let’s see if he wants to work with Danielle Collins. You think he can handle me?”

New episodes drop every Wednesday.