'Disgusting behaviour': Jelena Dokic slaps down 'body shaming' comments
Australian tennis great turned commentator Jelena Dokic has slammed the 'disgusting behaviour' of people criticising her appearance on Australian Open broadcasts.
Dokic has bravely recounted the years of traumatic abuse she suffered at the hands of her father Damir Dokic throughout her career, but was left bitterly disappointed by continued comments about her weight.
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Taking to Instagram on Friday evening, Dokic said she was disappointed to once again have to address commentary about her appearance.
Since returning to public life when she became a commentator for Fox Sports in 2017 and publishing her autobiography later that year, Dokic has been candid about the many challenges she's face both during and after her playing career.
Achieving a career-high ranking of world No.4 in 2002, Dokic career was limited by the looming presence of her father, who was memorably banned from the Australian Open in 2001 for abusive behaviour in 2001.
Dokic said she was strong enough to not let stupid comments on social media bother her, but added she had no fear in calling them out all the same.
“I can’t believe I have to address this again!” Dokic wrote.
“I am being body shamed again and I am seeing comments and even articles about my weight and appearance. It’s disgusting behaviour.
"Just stop already. Not just when it comes to me but other people as well, especially women.
“This is a serious problem and one that women face all the time.
“I am strong, I can take it and I don’t care about you but I will call it out. By doing this you might be doing damage and hurting someone else out there that you know nothing about and you have no idea what they might be going through."
Jelena Dokic makes a heartbreaking personal reveal
Dokic said last week that she “would be lying if I said I was doing well” after confirming the heartbreaking news that she and longtime boyfriend Tin Bikic had broken up.
The player-turned-commentator shared the devastating news with her followers on Instagram, posting a photo of her and Bikic with a rip down the middle and a message urging the public to refrain from making nasty comments about the break-up.
“Sometimes these things happen, people grow apart and it’s for the best,” Dokic wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of her and Bilic with a rip down the middle.
“I am asking you please to refrain yourselves from making bad comments about us and our 18 and a half years together and I especially ask those who want to make nasty comments based on nationality and religion to please not do that. This has nothing to do with that and it never did. Negative comments don’t help anyone especially me so please be respectful and kind.
“I would be lying if I said I was doing well but I will give it my absolute all to heal and recover and process this pain and trauma and if nothing else I will die trying.
“I gave this relationship my all, my heart and soul and I fought so hard till the end but ultimately it wasn’t enough this time but I am hopeful that there is still happiness and love somewhere out there waiting for me.
“This is hard, I am in pain, I am hurt, I am lost and right now it’s all about just being able to get out of bed in the morning and putting one foot in front of the other.
“I will have to learn to walk again before I can run when it comes to love and happiness but I will give this healing process my all.
“I am a fighter and I will fight till the end. My strength and the will to go on and live will be tested again but I have done it before so I hope I can do it again.”
The former World No.4 said she hoped Bikic "finds what he is looking for” and wished her ex “all the best” in the future, while calling on the public to respect their privacy.
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