Destanee Aiava, who has shown a more mature and strategic approach, is optimistic about making the most of her Australian Open wildcard to potentially embark on a successful grand slam journey this month.Last year, the impressive teenage player caught attention with her strong performance at Melbourne Park, narrowly missing the opportunity to claim a set against Simona Halep before ultimately falling to the world No. 1 in a close match.
Reflecting on her previous match, Aiava shared, “I enjoyed my first time playing on Rod Laver. She was too good that day, but I’ve learned a lot from that experience, driving me to improve throughout the year.”
She further added, “I’ve made significant progress since then, and my main focus now is to continue improving and aim to win a few rounds, as I know that’s within my current capabilities.”
At just 16 years old in 2017, Aiava made history as the first player born in this century to compete in a grand slam singles match. “There are certain expectations, especially during the Australian summer, to perform well,” Aiava acknowledged.
She also mentioned, “I’ve learned to block out external pressures and focus on my own path in my tennis career. Ultimately, it’s my performance on the court that matters. When I first emerged on the scene, I did struggle with this, like any young person would.”
Recognizing the crucial support from her dedicated coach and family during challenging times, the world No. 247 credited her small but strong support system. “I have a close group that keeps me grounded and they are all good people. I prefer to keep my circle small in this chaotic tennis world,” Aiava expressed.
