An Australian tennis star has opened up about how she tried to take her own life before three strangers dragged her away just in time.

Destanee Aiava’s life almost came to a tragic end in Melbourne on Easter Sunday, just before her 22nd birthday.

‚The night of Easter Sunday, I was going to throw myself off a bridge onto the M1,‘ she wrote as she celebrated her birthday last week.

‚Three 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 said sometimes people make you feel that you’re unworthy of being loved, but with some reflection she was able to get past it.

‚But at the end of the day I’ve learnt God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it,‘ she wrote.

‚Thank you for sending your love and well wishes if you have today.‘

Australian Open men’s doubles finalist Matt Ebden was among those who flooded Aiava with messages of love and support.

The daughter of Samoan parents, Aiava is ranked 463 on the WTA table and reached a career-high ranking of 147 in September 2017.

She has won almost $750,000 in prize money to date, along with four singles and three doubles titles.

Aiava made history at the 2017 Australian Open as the first player born in 2000 or later to compete in the main draw of a grand slam. She was just 16 at the time.

She made it to the third round of Wimbleton and to the second round of the US Open that same year. 

Aivia played at the Australian Open another four times since but never progressed past the first round.

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