From being suicidal to registering her maiden Grand Slam match win: A look at the inspirational story of Australian Open 2025 star Destanee Aiava

Destanee Aiava registered the biggest win of her career so far, as she booked her place in the second round of the Australian Open. The 24-year-old's victory comes less than three years after she had to be talked out of committing suicide.

Back in 2022, Destanee Aiava was contemplating jumping off a bridge when three people talked her out of it and drove her home.

"The night of Easter Sunday (17th April) I was going to throw myself off a bridge onto the M1, 3 people drove by, dragged me off the rails and drove me home. I did not want to make it to my 22nd birthday, but I know my family and friends would be happy to know I'm alive on this day that's meant to be special," Aiava wrote on Instagram, as quoted by Daily Mail.

Almost three years on from that incident, Aiava entered the qualifiers of the Melbourne Major unseeded and started with a 6-4, 6-2 win over tenth seed Ana Bogdan. The Aussie then bagged a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Panna Udvardy to reach the final qualifying round. Here, she faced 23rd seed Eva Lys and sealed a hard-fought 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 win to qualify for the main draw of the Australian Open for the very first time in her career.

Aiava faced Greet Minnen in the first round of the Melbourne Major and found herself a set down after the Belgian took the opening set 7-5. The Aussie had a break down in the second set but she bounced back and eventually won it to force the match into a decider.

Minnen had three match points in the final set but Aiava saved all of them and eventually went on to register a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(5) win to qualify for the second round of the Australian Open. It was her very first win in the main draw of a Grand Slam.

"I'm just super happy to get through and finally win a first round of singles in a Grand Slam, especially at my home slam," Aiava said of her win, as quoted by Daily Mail.

Destanee Aiava makes splash at Australian Open 2025 with unique tribute to icons; hits back at troll after foul reception

Destanee Aiava in action at the Australian Open (Image Source: Getty)

Destanee Aiava has already made a name for herself at the Melbourne Major through her outfits. The 24-year-old donned Maria Sharapova's outfit from US Open during the Grand Slam's qualifiers.

Aiava was on the receiving end of some negative comments regarding her physical appearance, with one individual stating that her outfit did not suit her body. The Aussie hit back by stating:

"Math isn’t mathing, stand on business and don’t be a hypocrite xo."

After donning Sharapova's old outfit, Aiava next wore Ana Ivanovic's dress from the 2010 US Open. The 24-year-old wore Caroline Wozniacki's outfit from 2013 while winning her first-round match at the Australian Open.

After defeating Greet Minnen, Destanee Aiava will next take on tenth seed Danielle Collins in the second round of the Australian Open. It will be the first meeting between the two.