‘I know I can get there, it’s just when and how’: Destanee Aiava hopes to rise up the rankings after emotional US Open breakthrough

There were times when tennis was the last thing on Destanee Aiava’s mind, which is why the Australian doesn’t want to make any grand plans for the 2025 season after she got her career back on track with an emotional appearance at the US Open.

Aiava has detailed her struggles on and off the court in the past, but the 24-year-old is now in a much happier place.

She’s currently ranked 171 in the world and hoping the upcoming Australian summer will be the springboard for more success after her breakthrough in New York a few months ago.Aiava hadn’t played a grand slam singles match since 2021 at the Australian Open but finally broke through after winning three qualifying matches to earn a round 1 spot against world No.4 Elena Rybakina.

She took the second set to a tie-break and earnt a big payday against one of the best players in the world, which proved to her that she belonged at this level.

“It meant the world to me,” she told the NewsWire.

“I’ve worked so hard for so many years just to experience those moments in my career, and then it finally happened that I qualified for a slam.

“I knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when.

“I find the US Open so special. It’s one of the best places in the world. Hopefully, I can do it again next year at the Australian Open.

“We train for those moments.”

Aiava has played in four Australian Opens but is yet to reach the second round; however, she’s confident that her best is still to come and that she’s in the right mindset to rise up the rankings.

Setting long-term goals isn’t part of her future planning, but it won’t stop Aiava from dreaming big.

“I draw motivation from those moments that I had when I was a lot younger, and I know that my level is there. It’s just a matter of how long it’ll take me to get there with getting my ranking up,” she said, having tested former world No.1 Simona Halep at the Australian Open when she was just 17.

“There are so many factors that go into it like funding and homesickness.

“I know I can get there, it’s just when and how.

“I had my first full year back on tour after a couple of years being on and off.

“After the US Open, it confirmed to me that I do belong even though I had so many similar experiences before that. Actually doing it this time was more of a confirmation.

“I feel like I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself to make it to the top 100 or whatever my goal would be. I feel like I can lose motivation like that, so I’m trying to take it a week at a time so I don’t lose the love or passion for it.

“I just want to stay happy on court and I want to keep enjoying it.

“Doing it that way, I feel the results come on their own because if I look too far ahead then I’ll get overwhelmed and quite anxious and I’ll spiral.

“I just want to do it one week at a time, and I think the ranking will come with that. I try not to look too far ahead. I do set goals, but they’re not long term.”

Aiava now gets the chance to rub shoulders with the top players in the world at the upcoming United Cup where she’ll get to practise with top stars from other countries even if she doesn’t get to play actual matches.

Olivia Gadecki and Alex de Minaur will play singles for Australia in Sydney, but Aiava will come in if there’s an injury as the tournament hosts look to build on last year’s heartbreaking loss in the semis.

“I’m excited to be in the team for the first time,” she said.

“I think we’ve got a great team. I’m looking forward to watching everyone play, and hopefully I get on the court as well.

“Even if I don’t get on court, I’ll spend all the time working hard preparing for AO qualifying. Getting to hit with quality players and being amongst it is pretty valuable.

“I’ll take it all in and then hopefully it’ll transfer onto the match court during AO qualifying if I don’t get to play.”