- Destanee Aiava has criticized the culture of Australia’s United Cup
- The rising star says the atmosphere was ‘strange and hostile’
Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has taken aim at Australia’s United Cup culture, revealing that her teammates’ aggressive and selfish behavior made her feel unwelcome at the camp.
The 24-year-old rising star posted a video on YouTube titled “my honest experience and review of the week I had” in which he described the mood in the team as “strange and hostile.”
The team, which included the likes of Alex De Minaur, Matthew Ebden, Olivia Gadecki, Ellen Perez and captain Lleyton Hewitt, made the world No. 194 feel left out, although she didn’t single out anyone personally.
“I’ve had a good time at the event so far,” the video began.
“As for our team, yeah, it doesn’t feel so welcoming.”
The Victorian used quotes when mentioning the word “team” during the video, explaining that her teammates were only focused on themselves.
Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava has destroyed the culture of Australia’s United Cup
The 24-year-old rising star says she felt unwelcome while in camp with big names like Lleyton Hewitt and Alex De Minaur.
“I understand we’re in a competitive environment, but I thought being on a team, playing a team event, would be a little different,” Aiava said.
“It’s not a team at all, we just do what we want, alone.”
“And then when everyone has to play, that’s when we all come together as a ‘team.’
Aiava was unable to play in any of the live matches, which she said made her feel left out.
He also joked that they might “cancel her” for her brutal honesty.
“There have been, at most, two people I’ve talked to properly on the team, maybe three,” he said.
Aiava gave the “pretty poor” United Cup experience a rating of just two out of 10.
He went on to say that the experience is perhaps the worst preparation he has ever had for a tournament with the Australian Open just around the corner.
Aiava (pictured second from right with her Australian United Cup teammates) said the atmosphere in the team was “strange and hostile” at times.
The star was in no rush to recommend the United Cup experience to others in his position.
“This week was not the best preparation for AO,” Aiava said.
‘In fact, it might have been the worst preparation I’ve ever had, match-wise.
“So it’s fair to say I won’t be taking part in the United Cup again unless I’m the number one player, because then I’ll be guaranteed a match,” she said.
“But I guess it’s my fault.”
The young woman was also in no hurry to recommend the experience to other people in her position.
‘Would you recommend other people play it? If you are the number one person on your team, do it. If not, run for your life.’