Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has opened up on her own harrowing experiences of being attacked after footage emerged of a teenager being abused on a court this week.
Dokic, now 39, was a former junior world No 1, and exploded onto the senior stage when she beat Martina Hingis at Wimbledon at the age of 16 in 1999. She went on to become world No 4 and won six WTA titles, but never got past the final four stage of a Grand Slam.
Indeed, her career was plagues by off-court issues, including her controversial decision to switch allegiance from Australia to the country of her birth, Yugoslavia. Her father and coach, Damir Dokic, publicly encouraged her decision, although she would subsequently reverse it within five years.
Now working as a coach and a commentator, Dokic has spoken out after a clip was shared on Twitter of a young girl being struck round the back of the head and kicked by a man, alleged to be her father. The daughter then attempted to sit down on a bench beside the clay court before being dragged to the ground by her hair.
Reports in Serbia have suggested that the man, from China, has been arrested and charged. He could face a jail sentence if he is convicted of his domestic violence charges.
“It was just sickening to watch, as someone who’s been through it,” Dokic told 9news.com.au. “I was actually kicked until I was unconscious a week before the US Open when I was 16 and it wasn’t the only time. Unfortunately, what happens behind closed doors is even worse.”
Dokic did recover in time to take her place in the main draw at Flushing Meadows, but just weeks after conquering Hingis at SW19, was beaten in the first round. She would eventually retire in 2014, having struggled for form and fitness.
Three years later she published her autobiography, Unbreakable. In the publication, she alleged she was subjected to years of physical and mental abuse by her father.
In June this year Dokic, who was also a doubles finalist at the French Open, took to Instagram to reveal she almost took her own life during a turbulent period which involved a heartbreaking split from her partner of 18 years. The post prompted a flood of supportive messages from current and former players.
