Share

Serena-inspired teen makes WTA history

Brisbane - Australian teenager Destanee Aiava created a slice of history on Tuesday when she became the first player born in the 2000s to win a main draw match on the WTA Tour.

The 16-year-old Aiava beat fellow qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the US 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Brisbane International in a rain-delayed match.

After play was halted Monday night with Aiava leading 3-0 and 40-15 in the third set, the young Australian overcame nerves and a Mattek-Sands fightback to move into a second round clash against veteran Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Aiava will create further history at the Australian Open later this month when she becomes the first player born in the 2000s to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.

Born in Australia to rugby-loving Samoan parents who knew nothing of tennis, Aiava began playing the sport at the age of five after watching Serena Williams in the Australian Open.

"I think it was just her vibe," she said of Serena.

"Like, I couldn't feel it from the other side of the TV, but it was just, like, her energy, and that kind of drew me to the sport."

Aiava's powerful physique has drawn comparisons with Serena, and the teenager admitted that she has based her game on the American superstar.

"Not so much a girl's game - more a guy's game," she said. "More variety."

Aiava said that nerves had got the better of her at the start of the match, played on Showcourt One in front of full stands.

"I was pretty nervous playing in front of that many people. I have never played in front of such a big crowd before," she said.

"I think the first set of the match I started off pretty bad.

"I think coming out, onto the court, I need to work on not being so tight and feeling the pressure.

"But as the match progressed, I felt a little bit more relaxed."

Results from the third day of the ATP/WTA TourBrisbane Internationaltennis tournament on Tuesday (X denotes seed):

Men

First Round

Sam Groth (AUS) bt Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) 6-3, 5-7, 7-5

Jared Donaldson (USA) bt Gilles Muller (LUX) 6-4, 6-4

Viktor Troicki (SRB) bt Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-4, 7-5

Lucas Pouille (FRA X6) bt Gilles Simon (FRA) 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4)

Women

First Round

Destanee Aiava (AUS) bt Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

Second Round

Karolina Pliskova (CZE X3) bt Asia Muhammad (USA) 6-1, 6-4

Alize Cornet (FRA) bt Christina McHale (USA) 6-2, 6-1

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE