FOOTBALL

Destanee Aiava Calls Out Body Shamers on Social Media Amid Australian Open Qualifiers Success

January, 09, 2025-03:16

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Destanee Aiava Calls Out Body Shamers on Social Media Amid Australian Open Qualifiers Success
Aussie tennis star Destanee Aiava has bravely confronted body-shaming comments made about her on social media. The 24-year-old responded to a comment suggesting she "needed to lose some weight to get more quick on her feet," which was later deleted. Aiava took to X, stating that the comment had triggered her eating disorder (ED), showcasing her strength in addressing such harmful remarks head-on.

Aiava's response came after journalist Ben Rothenberg shared a post highlighting her pink Nike dress, which resembled the one worn by Maria Sharapova at the 2012 US Open. Rothenberg praised the fashion moment, but some fans took the opportunity to body shame Aiava. One comment led Aiava to write: "Good job triggering my ED," a powerful statement shedding light on the impact of such harmful remarks.

The situation took an unexpected turn when the original commenter apologized. The fan explained they had meant no harm and had been rooting for Aiava for years. They expressed sincere regret, with Aiava graciously accepting the apology, replying, "Thank you for your apology," followed by a hugging emoji .
Unfortunately, the negativity didn’t end there. Another user posted a cruel comment about Aiava’s appearance, criticizing the fit of her dress. Aiava didn't back down and responded sharply, "Math isn't matching, stand on business and don't be a hypocrite xo." Her quick response to the hate showed her resilience in the face of online bullying.

Despite the body-shaming comments, Aiava has enjoyed a strong start to this year's Australian Open Qualifiers. She secured a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Panna Udvardy in the second round and previously defeated 10th seed Anna Bogdan 6-4, 6-2. Aiava's success on the court is a testament to her focus and determination, both in her tennis career and in handling adversity off the court.

Earlier this week, Aiava also made headlines for her candid comments about the Australian United Cup team culture. In a YouTube video, she revealed that the team environment felt "weird and hostile," with aggressive behavior from some teammates making her uncomfortable. Despite the challenges, Aiava expressed that she had a good time at the event but highlighted that the team's dynamic didn't align with her expectations for a collaborative atmosphere. Now, Aiava is focused on the Australian Open, with her third-round qualifier match against Eva Lys coming up on Thursday.