Jelena Dokic shares sickening account of being abused as a teen tennis star
The beloved Australian tennis champion has poured her heart out about the sickening treatment from her father.
Jelena Dokic has shared a disturbing account of how her father abused her as a teenager, during her professional tennis career. The Aussie tennis icon burst onto the scene as a teenager and rose as high as World No.4 at the peak of a career that was often overshadowed by incidents involving her father and former coach, Damir.
Following a glittering career on the court, Dokic has forged a successful path as a tennis commentator, author, a beacon of hope for body positivity and powerful voice speaking out against bullying of all forms. On Thursday, the 39-year-old took to Instagram to share her own horrific experience of bullying and abuse at the hands of her father.
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“Swollen, bruised and bleeding shins from being beaten and kicked all night with sharp shoes right into my shins for losing a match,” she posted on Instagram. “These images were taken more than two weeks later and I was still heavily bruised. I was 17 years old.
“To this day I still have sensitive and bumpy shins from this beating. “From every wound there is a scar and these are mine. I have survived but not everyone woman and girl has or will. “And that’s the sad reality.”
Dokic has documented similar accounts of the disgusting treatment she was subjected to by her own father in her book, 'Unbreakable', and revealed in a 2017 interview with The Project that such abuse became a "normal" part of her professional tennis career while her father was coach.
The 39-year-old said she decided to share the disturbing images and her sickening account of abuse to shine a light on domestic violence and violence against women and encourage other victims of abuse to speak out and seek help. “I was speaking at a domestic and family violence event today and I was sad,” she added.
Jelena Dokic's powerful message about domestic violence
“Sad and angry for the tens of millions of women out there in the world who I know right in this moment are going through a lot worse than I ever did. 1 woman a week is killed from domestic violence in Australia alone.
“1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. The figures are even worse around the world. The more that we don’t talk about it, the more we shy away from the issue, the more we are abandoning women and girls.
“For those reading this that might be experiencing abuse or domestic violence just know I get you. I know how scared and afraid you are. “Know that you have incredible strength and courage.
“Nothing is your fault. “For those that can please be there for those that need help and support. Don’t shy away from them and don’t abandon them.
“Coming from someone that has been there, abandoned and scared to death please don’t turn your back. Women and girls need you and your help.
“SPEAKING UP ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT ATTENTION SEEKING. WOMEN AND GIRLS DIE EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF THIS JUDGEMENT AND SHAME.
“AND WHEN IT HAPPENS IT’S UNFORTUNATELY TOO LATE. WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT SHAMES AND STIGMATISES TALKING ABOUT ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUT THEN WE MOURN THE KILLINGS DUE TO VIOLENCE.
“Let’s do more for the future generations. For our daughters, sisters and all the girls and women around the world to make this a better and safer place for them to be happy, healthy and free of violence.
“I will never stop fighting and speaking up about this issue especially for those that can’t and don’t have a voice. If you need help contact the 24 hour line on 1800 737 732.”
Dokic found herself at the centre of a shocking controversy during the Australian Open after calling out trolls for fat-shaming her during the host broadcaster's coverage. The former World No.4 and Channel Nine commentator revealed that she nearly took her own life last year, and says one particularly shocking post read in Serbian: "Now that the Australian Open is starting will Jelena Dokic try to kill herself like she does every year."
Dokic's courage in calling out trolls and openly discussing her problems has served as an inspiration for countless fans. The former tennis star's book 'Unbreakable' is also a best-seller and she speaks frequently at media events and functions around the country.
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