"Only thing I'll be tested positive for is mental illness" - Australian Open star Destanee Aiava raises concerns about 'invasive' doping tests

Destanee Aiava slammed the drug testing process at the Australian Open 2025, terming the process “invasive” and saying the only thing she would test positive for is “mental illness.”

Aiava’s singles campaign at the calendar’s first Grand Slam ended on Friday when she lost 6-7 (4), 6-4, 2-6 to 10th seed Danielle Collins.

The Australian later took to X to express her displeasure. Her post read:

“Someone needs to find a less invasive way to test us for drugs and idk why i’m being tested im literally 300 in the world the only thing ill be tested positive for is mental illness.”

Tennis players are bound to comply with drug tests when approached by anti-doping officers and the same applies to Grand Slams as well. Typically, players are to submit urine samples to the doping officer present at the venue.

When a user asked Destanee Aiava what the testing process was like at the Melbourne Major, she replied:

“They grab u whenever they want and they have to watch u pspspsps, the lady I had was really lovely and it was quick.”

Doping has become a major talking point in the tennis world, especially after Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek recently tested positive for banned substances. Sinner escaped a ban after appealing that he had unintentionally ingested the substance, while Swiatek was handed a one-month suspension in late 2024. Both of them are currently in action at the Australian Open.

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Destanee Aiava at the 2025 Australian Open

Destanee Aiava at the 2025 Australian Open. Source: Getty

The 24-year-old Australian is competing in three events at her home Grand Slam. She came through three rounds of qualifying to make the women’s main draw but was beaten by Collins in the second round. Collins, who faced a lot of booing from the crowd, went on to celebrate the win by taunting the crowd.

Though her singles campaign ended early, it marked Aiava’s best-ever finish at the tournament. She then partnered with her compatriot Maddison Inglis in the women’s doubles and the Australian duo was beaten 4-6, 6-7 (2) by Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round.

She has one final chance to make a splash at the Australian Open when she partners Omar Jasika in the mixed doubles. They will begin their campaign against the top seeds Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori on Saturday, January 18.