Poised with all the calm and grace of a true champion, it’s hard not to be in awe of Aussie tennis star Jelena Dokic.
Beaming from ear to ear, the 41-year-old TV commentator and bestselling author admits that after years of unimaginable abuse at the hands of her own father and longtime coach Damir, she’s finally in her happy place – and it shows!
Speaking exclusively just weeks after the release of Unbreakable – a powerful new documentary based on her 2017 autobiography of the same name – Jelena now wants the world to know she’s more than just a survivor.
“I don’t resent anyone, even my father – it’s never been about revenge, or holding a grudge. In fact, it’s the opposite – I think a strong and caring hand is the only way to really change things,” Jelena shares candidly.
“Despite everything I’ve been through, one of the main things I will always stand up for is kindness. It was so important for me going into the two books [Unbreakable and Fearless] and now this documentary to never forget compassion – I will not ever blame another person for anything that has happened in my life,” she proudly tells.
“And it took me a long time to realise that vulnerability is actually a super power, where once upon a time I think that it was looked upon as a weakness.”
SURVIVOR
Jelena, in all her frankness, is a real-life survivor. Reading her back story is the stuff movies are made of – which is how Unbreakable came to be.
Born in Croatia, Jelena and her family – younger brother Savo, mother Ljiljana and father Damir – emigrated as refugees to Australia from war-torn Yugoslavia when the budding champ was just 11. By 16 it was clear this gutsy tennis star was something special. She reached a career-high ranking of World No. 4 in 2002, but behind the brave facade a very different story was playing out.
“It’s confronting to hear me tell my story on the big screen – it surprised me how much it impacted me,” says Jelena, her steady voice breaking as she explains Unbreakable is a must-watch for victims of domestic abuse.
But it’s one particular scene where she describes in graphic detail the time her drunk father attacked her after she lost a match, that still strikes a nerve.
“He beat the crap out of me,” she shares in the film. “He slammed my head hard against the wall multiple times. He actually punches me in the head. And then I went unconscious for
a little bit. He also stepped on my head as well during the vicious attack.”
Testament to her incredible strength, Jelena has turned years of horrific abuse into something positive.
“I wanted to go past the unimaginable pain, and turn it into the power that drives me every day,” she says bravely.
“I’ve been able to not just rebuild but I have risen higher than I ever believed I could.”
HER LEGACY
Jelena has a busy fortnight ahead, back with the Nine commentary team for the Australian Open. It’s a job she loves, especially working alongside her close buddy of 15 years, Todd Woodbridge, 53.
“He definitely helped save me,” she says. “To go from someone who almost took her own life to reinventing myself with the help of friends like Todd – it’s unbelievable!”
“I want people to go, OK, she’s not just a survivor – she’s thriving. I hope my journey helps someone out there feel empowered.”
Indeed, Jelena continues to be buoyed by the positive response from the public to Unbreakable, and fondly recalls two comments she heard from theatregoers as they left the cinema.
“One was a teenage girl who said that I was her new role model, and another young woman who turned to her mum and said, ‘I’m so glad I have you and dad as parents.’ That makes it all worthwhile,” says Jelena.
FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
For Jelena, it’s the final scene in Unbreakable that will forever be a reminder of just how far she’s come.
“It was the 2023 Australian Open and I’m standing in front of 15,000 fans interviewing Novak Djokovic and the crowd is cheering us on,” Jelena recalls.
“To think 20 years before on the very same court I was being booed by thousands of Aussie tennis fans who were all reacting to my father’s cruel decision to change my status from being Australian to playing for Yugoslavia.
“I don’t have regrets, but as extreme as this sounds, I would’ve taken any beating
if it meant I could go back to that moment to represent my beloved Australia.
“My father robbed me of my home, my country, and for all those years the fans didn’t know the real truth… Standing there with Novak, I realised I am unbreakable. I can’t wait for the next chapter!”
UNBREAKABLE: THE JELENA DOKIC STORY premieres on Wednesday, 28 January at 9pm on Nine and 9Now.
