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Health

Former tennis star Jelena Dokic hits back at 'disgusting' online trolls

Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has revealed "disgusting" comments levelled at her on social media, saying she will keep fighting against online trolls.

Warning: This story contains language about suicide.

The former world number four player retired from the game in 2014 and now has a successful commentating career.

She has been open about her mental health struggles, and in her 2017 autobiography revealed the physical and emotional abuse she suffered at the hands of her father.

Dokic said the trolling and abuse had now reached "a new low", with her receiving a comment making light of her mental health.

"Now that the Australian Open is starting will Jelena Dokic try to kill herself like she does every year," the comment re-posted by the star said.

The post, written in Serbian, was followed by a cry-laughing emoji.

"This actually made me cry this morning when I woke up and read it," Dokic wrote on social media.

"What kind of person can write something like this and then even worse laugh about it?

"A bad person, that's who. And of course an ignorant one."

In 2022, Dokic revealed she almost took her own life at the start of the year. She said at the time she was on the road to recovery and would "be back stronger than ever".

"I am fighting for all of those who feel like they don't have a voice, who don't feel like they are being heard," she wrote on Friday on social media.

"For those who are struggling, for those who have struggled with suicidal thoughts, have lost loved ones and friends to suicide … I am fighting against ignorance, bad people, trolls, online abuse and disgusting human beings."

It came a day after the Australian star shared two other "disgusting, disgraceful and shameful" comments she received in which she was accused of lying about her past.

"It's time to call it out and show it," she wrote.

The posts have prompted a wave of support for Dokic from fans and other public figures, including Olympic gold medallist Giaan Rooney, who urged the former tennis star to "remember how many people adore you".

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