Pictures: Phillip Castleton.
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 42-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 to Woman’s Day to promote the powerful new documentary Unbreakable, 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,” she says.
“In fact, it’s the opposite – I think a strong and caring hand is the only way to really change things.
“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’s happened.
“It took me a long time to realise that vulnerability is actually a superpower, where once upon a time people viewed it as a weakness.”
She’s a survivor
Jelena’s back story is the stuff movies are made of. Born in Croatia, she 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 number four in 2002, but behind the brave façade, 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 cracking 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. My father actually punched me in the head and then I was unconscious for a little bit. He stepped on my head during the vicious attack.”
Testament to her incredible strength, Jelena’s 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’ve risen higher than I ever believed I could.”
Her legacy
Now a public speaker and tennis commentator, her voice will be familiar to Kiwis watching the Australian Open. It’s a job she loves, especially working alongside her close buddy of 15 years, fellow Aussie tennis star Todd Woodbridge, 53, one of the most successful doubles players of all time.
“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.”
Streaming on Neon this week, Unbreakable hit Aussie movie screens late last year and Jelena fondly recalls overhearing two theatregoers as they left the cinema.
“One was a teenage girl who said that I was her new role model,” she remembers. “Another young woman turned to her mum and said, ‘I’m so glad I have you and dad as parents.’ That makes it all worthwhile.”
Full-circle moment
For Jelena, it’s the final scene in Unbreakable that’ll forever be a reminder of just how far she’s come.
“It was the 2023 Australian Open,” she recalls. “I was interviewing Novak Djokovic in front of 15,000 fans and the crowd was cheering us on.
“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,” she reveals. “But as extreme as this sounds, I would’ve taken any beating if it meant I could go back to that moment to represent Australia.
“My father robbed me of my home and 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 Thursday on Neon, or is available to rent or buy on Prime Video. For the Suicide Crisis Helpine, phone 0508 TAUTOKO.
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