“I almost committed suicide”: Why police didn't investigate Jelena Dokic abuse
Tennis Australia has today spoken out about the horrifying allegations revealed in Jelena Dokic’s new autobiography Unbreakable.
The sport’s governing body said officials reported concerns about Dokic’s welfare to police at the time of the abuse, but without cooperation from those involved, they could not be fully investigated.
Former tennis champion Jelena Dokic has revealed she nearly killed herself after suffering years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her father.
The 34-year-old has opened up about the extent of her suffering as a child and teenager almost every time her father and coach Damir Dokic was displeased with her performance on the tennis court.
The shocking revelations include such claims that she was regularly beaten with a belt and a hard-capped boot by her father. Once a beating knocked her unconscious.
After her semi-final loss in 2000 at Wimbledon she was kicked out of the family hotel room, which her tennis career was funding, and forced to sleep at the courts.
But it was the emotional abuse from her father who often labelled her a “whore” that Dokic says drove her to suicidal thoughts.
The former World No. 4 says she suffered abuse as a child and teenager almost every time her father was displeased with her performance on the tennis court.
A polarising figure in the Australian media during her tennis career, Dokic was often branded a “spoiled brat”.
Tennis Australia’s statement reads: “All of us at Tennis Australia applaud Jelena’s courage in telling her story and will continue to support her in any way we can
“There were many in tennis at the time who were concerned for Jelena’s welfare, and many who tried to assist with what was a difficult family situation.
“Some officials even went as far as lodging police complaints, which without cooperation from those directly involved, unfortunately could not be fully investigated.
“Over the past ten years tennis has been constantly improving and updating policies to increase protection for children.
“Tennis Australia is working closely with the Australian Childhood Foundation to strengthen the safeguarding of children across the sport.”