Former Tennis Star Jelena Dokic Opens up About Reconciliation Attempt with Abusive Father

Former world No.4 tennis star Jelena Dokic has shared insights into her attempts to reconcile with her abusive father, Damir, who was also her coach during her tennis career. Dokic, now 40 years old, has been vocal about the physical and emotional abuse she endured under her father’s coaching, including beatings, kicks, punches, and even being knocked unconscious. She revealed in an interview that she last had contact with her father about a decade ago and had tried to rebuild their relationship once or twice in the past.

Dokic acknowledged that while reconciling with a family member can be challenging, she hoped for some remorse or an apology from her father, but he revealed no intention of changing his ways. She stated that he even expressed that he would do it all again, leading her to make the difficult decision to cut ties with him as she did not want a toxic relationship in her life.

Although Dokic severed her relationship with her father, she expressed gratitude for the positive connections she has with her brother and mother. She revealed that her father had weaponized her relationship with her brother and prevented her from communicating with him for several years, but they have since rebuilt their bond and now talk every day. Dokic also mentioned having tough conversations with her mother, who initially sided with her father, but they have worked through their differences and are in a good place today.

Dokic also reflected on the media coverage she received during her career, particularly when her father, who was often aggressive and drunk during interviews, was involved. She expressed a desire for journalists to have shown more concern about the situation, as she was an underage player going home with a person exhibiting such behavior. She highlighted the need for awareness and support rather than turning her father into a joke or a punchline.

The former tennis star, who is now a mental health advocate and author, has been using her platform to shed light on her traumatic experiences, including the depression, social media abuse, body shaming, and alleged violence she endured throughout her career. Last year, Dokic shared a heartbreaking post on Instagram, accompanied by a photo taken during her teenage years at the US Open, revealing the pain she went through as a young player dealing with her father’s outbursts while facing judgment from the media and the public.

Jelena Dokic’s courageous decision to break free from the abusive relationship with her father demonstrates her strength and resilience. She shared her story to inspire others and raise awareness about the importance of mental health and supportive environments in sports.