Australian Story: Jelena Dokic with Leigh Sales
In her first major television interview since her father's death, former tennis star Jelena
Dokic opens up to Leigh Sales about the highs and lows of a turbulent family life and career.
Jelena says that at 42, she's never been happier. She's forged a successful career as a
tennis commentator and is the subject of an award-winning feature documentary.
But, as she reveals in this candid conversation, her life has been shaped by the extreme
emotional and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and coach, Damir
Dokic.
"I was already brutally beaten at the age of 9 or 10." she recalls. "When I was 17, I was
kicked and punched in the head so hard he left me unconscious."
Jelena achieved early fame when, at 16, she beat world No. 1 Martina Hingis. But her
career was overshadowed by her father's behaviour.
One of the most traumatic moments, she recalls, was being booed by the crowd at the
Australian Open after her father made her switch allegiance from Australia to Yugoslavia.
"I would rather take 100 years of beating than having to ever go through that moment," she
says.
In a stunning revelation, Jelena says that when she attempted to reconcile with her father
in later life, Damir was unapologetic and said he would "do it all again".
At the age of 19, Jelena found the courage to leave her family, but it took many years for
her to rebuild her life and sense of self-worth. The turning point was going public with her
story in her memoir, Unbreakable.
"There was this massive freedom that came with that. My voice, my life. I could reclaim it.
This huge weight was lifted off my shoulders."
In a frank and surprising interview, Jelena says she wants her story to inspire hope in those
who've suffered abuse.
"When we're silent about it, that's their power. As soon as we speak up, we take that power
away from them."
Monday 13 October, 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
Dokic opens up to Leigh Sales about the highs and lows of a turbulent family life and career.
Jelena says that at 42, she's never been happier. She's forged a successful career as a
tennis commentator and is the subject of an award-winning feature documentary.
But, as she reveals in this candid conversation, her life has been shaped by the extreme
emotional and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and coach, Damir
Dokic.
"I was already brutally beaten at the age of 9 or 10." she recalls. "When I was 17, I was
kicked and punched in the head so hard he left me unconscious."
Jelena achieved early fame when, at 16, she beat world No. 1 Martina Hingis. But her
career was overshadowed by her father's behaviour.
One of the most traumatic moments, she recalls, was being booed by the crowd at the
Australian Open after her father made her switch allegiance from Australia to Yugoslavia.
"I would rather take 100 years of beating than having to ever go through that moment," she
says.
In a stunning revelation, Jelena says that when she attempted to reconcile with her father
in later life, Damir was unapologetic and said he would "do it all again".
At the age of 19, Jelena found the courage to leave her family, but it took many years for
her to rebuild her life and sense of self-worth. The turning point was going public with her
story in her memoir, Unbreakable.
"There was this massive freedom that came with that. My voice, my life. I could reclaim it.
This huge weight was lifted off my shoulders."
In a frank and surprising interview, Jelena says she wants her story to inspire hope in those
who've suffered abuse.
"When we're silent about it, that's their power. As soon as we speak up, we take that power
away from them."
Monday 13 October, 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
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