By David Nagel
Narre Warren and Noble Park Tennis Club prodigy Destanee Aiava has drawn comparisons with one of the greatest players of all time despite a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 defeat to world number one Simona Halep in the first round of the Australian Open.
The 17-year-old roared out to a 5-2 lead in the first set before last year’s French Open finalist steadied, eventually winning in one hour and 51 minutes.
Nonetheless, it was still a stellar performance from one of the most talented young tennis players in the country, who is starting to become a household name.
Halep paid tribute to Aiava after their Rod Laver Arena encounter, saying the 193-ranked Australian had similar power to all-time great Serena Williams, who has won 23 grand slams across a career spanning over two decades.
“She is very talented and powerful, and I think she is going to be very good,“ the Romanian said.
“She’s a little bit like Serena, she’s hitting the ball strong, she’s a powerful girl and for sure she will be good in the future.”
Aiava, who was awarded a wildcard for her Australian Open debut last year, said confidence was the main thing she would take away from the clash against the world’s best.
“The fact that she referenced me to Serena gives me a lot of confidence in myself,“ Aiava said in her post-match interview.
“I feel honoured as well, especially coming from her, being the best player in the world right now. I’m going to take a lot of confidence out of that match.
“I am disappointed, but I’m really proud of my efforts, and I’m going to take a lot out of this match – I left it all on the court, so I’m really happy with the efforts I put in.”
Aiava is continuing on from a breakthrough 2017, when the then 16-year-old was named by Australian captain Alicia Molik to make her Fed Cup debut against Serbia.
Aiava will always be remembered as the first player born in the 2000s to compete in a grand slam main draw when she took to the court for last year’s Australian Open.
