Jelena Dokic Reflects on Complex Grief After Estranged Father's Death

May 21, 2025
Jelena Dokic Reflects on Complex Grief After Estranged Father's Death
  • Since retiring from professional tennis in 2014, Jelena has been open about her mental health struggles, including a suicide attempt in 2022.

  • In a 2009 interview, Damir admitted to beating Jelena, claiming it was 'for her sake,' which further shaped public perception of his abusive conduct.

  • Damir was a controversial figure in the tennis world, known for both his support and abusive behavior, including a prison sentence in 2009 for threatening the Australian ambassador in Belgrade.

  • Today, Jelena continues to advocate for mental health awareness and aims to embody respect, grace, and empathy in her public life.

  • Damir Dokic, the estranged father of former tennis star Jelena Dokic, passed away on May 16, 2025, marking a significant moment in her life.

  • Despite their troubled history, Jelena acknowledged the complexity of her grief, recognizing the painful dynamics of their relationship and the challenges of losing a parent, even one with whom she was estranged.

  • Their estrangement began in 2006 when Jelena broke free from her father's control, which she believes hindered her tennis career and contributed to her mental health struggles, including depression and suicidal thoughts.

  • Jelena gained fame as a talented tennis player, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 4, but her father's abusive behavior, including public outbursts, significantly impacted her career.

  • In her heartfelt post about her father's death, Jelena reflected on the end of a chapter in her life, expressing a desire to focus on positive memories while emphasizing the importance of respect, grace, kindness, dignity, and empathy.

  • The Australian media often portrayed Damir as eccentric, overlooking the severity of Jelena's situation and the abuse she endured, which she believes was compounded by issues of racism and xenophobia.

  • In 2024, a film based on her autobiography was released, where she highlighted the fear she lived with daily during her childhood.

  • A documentary titled 'Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story' was released in late 2024, showcasing her life and struggles, and received critical acclaim.

Summary based on 8 sources


Get a daily email with more Australia News stories

More Stories