Tennis world in disbelief over Jelena Dokic's French Open act

News.com.au

27-05-2025

Jelena Dokic has left tennis fans in awe as she made a classy return to the camera just days after the death of her father Damir.
The former tennis prodigy on Wednesday confirmed via a social media post that her 67-year-old dad had died last week.
The inspiring tennis commentator was back in front of the camera for Channel 9 on Sunday night when the French Open began.
The 42-year-old didn't miss a beat and showed no sign of her personal upheaval when she fronted the preview show on 9Gem.
Dokic was brutally honest in admitting she was dealing with many conflicting emotions after the death of her father when sharing the news on Instagram.
However, some fans could not believe she was able to fill her commentary role with such class just days after sharing the news.
The much-loved former world No. 4 tennis player survived physical and emotional abuse from her father and has been an inspiration for many as she manages her childhood trauma.
Dokic's brave appearance on the Channel 9 coverage alongside Todd Woodbridge and Thanasi Kokkinakis has again left her fans with admiration.
She shared an image of herself glammed up in a casual, vibrant pink suit from inside the Nine studios after the first broadcast on Sunday night — and the post was flooded with supportive messages.
'One amazing gorgeous lady Jelena,' one Instagram user commented on the post.
One person wrote: 'Thank God she is BACK.'
One person posted: 'Hope you are going ok working after your recent loss, thinking of you and sending love.'
Some people were dazzled by her bold outfit.
'Looking great! Really enjoyed your commentary last night,' one Instagram user posted.
Another wrote: 'Always looking beautiful and elegant'.
Open secret in Dokic's relationship with dad
Dokic has emerged as one of the most cherished figures in Australian sport in her advocacy for sufferers of abuse and mental health.
The final message she shared about her father shows how raw the trauma of her abuse remains.
'My father passed away in the late hours on 16.05.2025,' she wrote.
'As you know my relationship with my father has been difficult and painful with a lot of history.
'Despite everything and no matter how hard, difficult and in the last 10 years even non-existent our relationship and communication was, it is never easy losing a parent and a father even one you are estranged from.
'The loss of an estranged parent comes with a difficult and complicated grief.
'It's an end of a chapter and life as I know it.'
Just last week, Jelena talked excitedly about the prospect of becoming a mother and her desire to adopt.
Dokic, who turned 42 last month, is a beloved figure in Australian sport.
The former world No. 4 tennis player survived physical and emotional abuse from her father Damir to forge a successful career as a commentator and author.
Dokic continued in her post she had 'complex emotions' about Damir's death and was trying to focus on good memories of her father.
'There are lots of conflicting and complex emotions and feelings for me,' she continued.
'For the end of this chapter, I choose to focus on a good memory like this picture (see above).
'And as always and especially important to who I am as a person and what I want to stand for which is respect, grace, kindness, dignity and empathy, I will and want to be that person in this situation too. For now, I will leave it there.
'Please respect mine and the rest of my family's privacy at this time. Thank you to so many of you for checking in on me over the last few days and for being here for me while I navigate this difficult and complicated situation.
'And my final words. RIP.'