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Destanee Aiava breaks through at the Australian Open…on and off the court

The 24-year-old Australian-Samoan tennis player has turned heads for her on-court performance, fashion and mental health advocacy.
TOPSHOT - Australia's Destanee Aiava celebrates beating Belgium's Greet Minnen in their women's singles match on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 13, 2025.
(Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Trigger warning: This article discusses mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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As the 2025 Australian Open continues to captivate audiences worldwide, one player making headlines is Destanee Aiava. The 24-year-old Australian-Samoan tennis player has turned heads not only with her impressive on-court performances but also with her unique fashion choices, making her a standout at Melbourne Park.

Who is Destanee Aiava?

Destanee Aiava, from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, has been part of the Australian tennis landscape since her teenage years. Known for her powerful game and determination, Aiava first attracted attention in 2017 when she became the youngest Australian woman to play in the Australian Open main draw. A junior tennis prodigy, Aiava has consistently worked her way through the ranks of the WTA.

During the 2025 Australian Open qualifiers, Aiava wore the same dress former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic wore at the 2010 US Open. (Photo by Getty Images)

Aiava’s 2025 Australian Open: A fashion-forward athlete

One of the major talking points of Aiava’s appearance at this year’s Australian Open has been her striking wardrobe choices. With each match, the tennis star has paid tribute to past champions by wearing vintage tennis dresses, bringing a nostalgic touch to her game.

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Most recently, she wore a navy, cobalt, and sky-blue Adidas x Stella McCartney dress—an iconic design once worn by Caroline Wozniacki at the 2013 US Open. This bold move has earned Aiava recognition not just for her tennis, but also for her sense of style, with media outlets spotlighting her as one to watch in both sports and fashion.

Aiava has also worn dresses that echo Maria Sharapova’s 2012 US Open look and Ana Ivanovic’s 2010 US Open dress, showcasing her appreciation for tennis history and her unique take on fashion.

“I just like to wear what I think looks good,” Aiava said to BBC.

“It’s been fun bringing them back.”

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These fashion-forward choices, which have gone viral on social media, add an extra layer of excitement to her matches, creating a buzz around both her performances and her on-court attire.

The road to success: Overcoming setbacks

Aiava’s journey to the Australian Open main draw has been anything but straightforward. Her early career was marked by immense promise, but she faced several setbacks that impacted her progress. Despite these challenges, she has remained focused on her goal: to reach the highest levels of the sport.

Aiava shared her personal struggles with mental health, including a dark period where she considered taking her own life in 2022. The tennis player’s openness about her Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) diagnosis has made her an important voice in raising awareness about mental health, particularly within the Polynesian community, where such issues are often under-discussed.

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“It was a relief, but then it also felt like a death sentence because it’s something that I have to live with my whole life,” Aiava shared in an interview with Brisbane Times.

Aiava’s candidness has resonated with fans and has underscored her ability to rise above adversity.

“I can’t relate to it any more, and it feels like a completely different person,” she reflected recently on her past struggles.

(Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
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A historic win at the 2025 Australian Open

In the 2025 Australian Open, Aiava made history with her first-ever Grand Slam main draw win, defeating Belgium’s Greet Minnen in a thrilling three-set match. This victory, which saw Aiava battle back from a 2-5 deficit in the second set, marked a significant milestone in her career and has garnered attention as a key moment in her resurgence as a competitor.

With a solid performance at the Australian Open, Aiava is now poised to build momentum and continue progressing through the ranks. Fans and commentators are eager to see how she can build on this victory and maintain her level of play at the top of the game.

The future of Destanee Aiava

Aiava’s progress at the Australian Open signals a promising future for the young athlete. Her victory in the opening round has captured the attention of tennis fans and media outlets alike, and she is now seen as one of Australia’s key players in the next generation of female tennis stars.

If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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