God. The news hit me like a backhand to the chest.
Jelena Dokic, former world No.4 tennis player, revealed yesterday that her father Damir has died at 67. The announcement came via Instagram, where Dokic posted a childhood photo alongside a deeply personal message about her "difficult and painful" relationship with the man who both coached her to tennis greatness and subjected her to horrific abuse.
I've followed Jelena's story since 2017 when her gut-wrenching autobiography "Unbreakable" first exposed the brutal reality behind her tennis career. That book still sits on my shelf, dog-eared and tear-stained. (My partner refuses to read it—says it'll break his heart too much.)
When Your Abuser Dies, What Are You Supposed to Feel?
Dokic was estranged from her father for the final decade of his life. In her Instagram post, she acknowledged teh complex emotions surrounding his death on May 16th: "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."
Those words hit home for anyone who's had a complicated relationship with a parent. I remember talking with a friend last summer who'd just lost her emotionally abusive mother. She was a mess of contradictions—relief, guilt, anger, and a strange emptiness where closure should have been.
The Brutal History
For those who don't know the backstory... it's rough. Seriously rough.
Dokic moved to Australia from former Yugoslavia when she was 11. Tennis prodigy. Incredible talent. By 2002, she'd reached world No.4 and made the Wimbledon semifinals in 2000.
Behind that success? A nightmare.
In her autobiography, Dokic revealed that after losing to Martina Hingis, her father beat her so severely there wasn't "an inch of skin that wasn't bruised." Just typing that makes my stomach turn.
The Documentary That Left Me Sleepless
Last year, a documentary also titled "Unbreakable" further explored Dokic's story. I watched it alone on a Tuesday night—big mistake. Couldn't sleep afterward. The footage of Damir's public outbursts at tournaments only hints at what happened behind closed doors.
What strikes me about Jelena is her incredible resilience. After everything she endured—physical abuse, public humiliation, the theft of her tennis earnings—she's rebuilt her life as a respected commentator and advocate.
She's now 42 and a regular fixture in Australian tennis broadcasting. Remember during the 2023 Australian Open when that commentator made that awkward joke about her weight? Her response was pure class. I texted my tennis group chat immediately: "THIS is how you handle idiots with grace."
What Happens When Sorry Never Comes?
In an interview with The Independent last year, Dokic confirmed what many suspected—her father never apologized. Never acknowledged the harm. Never made amends.
And now he never will.
The Grace That Floors Me
What's most remarkable about Dokic's announcement is its dignity. Despite everything, she wrote: "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."
She concluded simply: "And my final words. RIP."
I've spent $200+ on therapy sessions discussing much lesser family dramas. The composure here? Extraordinary.
Complicated grief is exactly that—complicated. There's no roadmap for processing the death of someone who both shaped your life and damaged it irrevocably.
I hope she's surrounded by support right now.
And I hope, somehow, this brings her a measure of peace that her father never gave her in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone who starts playing tennis later still become a pro?
Although it's more difficult, it's not impossible to achieve professional status by starting tennis later in life. The individual's ability to play tennis, their work ethic and dedication, as well as the access they have to coaching and competition, will determine whether or not they are successful. Late starters may need to undergo intensive, focused training. Although the road is more difficult, with talent and persistence, it's possible to reach a professional level.
How important is mental and psychological training in tennis?
Tennis requires mental and psychological training as much as physical training. Players must learn stress management, how to maintain focus and how to deal with emotional highs and lowers during competition. Common techniques include visualization, goal setting, and mental rehearsals. Sports psychologists can help athletes build resilience and develop coping mechanisms for stressful situations. They can also improve their mental game in order to match their physical ability on the court.
What kind of support team does a top tennis player need?
To compete at the highest level, a top tennis player requires a strong support team. The team will typically include a head trainer to oversee the training and technical development of the player, a fitness coach for physical conditioning and injury prevention, a medical professional or physiotherapist for injury management and prevention, a sports psychology specialist for mental coaching and a nutritionist for diet advice. A hitting partner, a manager or agent, and sometimes a stringer can also be part of the team, ensuring the player can solely focus on their game.
What is the best type of fitness for tennis players to do?
Tennis is one of the most physically demanding sports. It requires a combination between aerobic endurance and anaerobic conditioning, as well a speed, power, strength, etc. Fitness training for tennis players often encompasses cardiovascular exercises to improve endurance, plyometric and explosive exercises for speed and power, weight training for strength, as well as agility drills to enhance footwork and on-court movement. The core stability exercises and balance drills are important for developing the muscular endurance, coordination, and strength necessary to handle the physical demands in tennis.
How important is it for you to compete at junior tournaments if you want a career as a professional tennis player?
Competing in junior tournaments is a crucial step in the journey to a professional tennis career. These tournaments allow young athletes to practice their skills and gain match experience against other players. They also help them to learn how to handle the pressure of competition. These tournaments can also be a stepping-stone to higher level competitions, as well as impacting a player’s ranking, visibility with coaches and sponsors and overall development.
Statistics
- Nutritionists report that a tennis player's diet should consist of about 55-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein, and 20-25% fats during intense training periods.
- Top tennis players typically train for 4 to 6 hours per day, divided between on-court practice and fitness training.
- Studies show that superior agility and speed among tennis players can reduce their reaction time by up to 30%, which is crucial during high-level matches.
- Persistent mental training and sports psychology can help reduce performance anxiety by up to 60%, according to sports psychologists working with elite athletes.
- Engaging in structured video analysis sessions has been shown to improve a player's tactical decision-making by approximately 35%.
External Links
How To
How to Increase endurance during long tennis matches
Building endurance for long tennis matches requires both aerobic and anaerobic training. Improve your aerobic capacity by adding longer, moderately intense cardio workouts to your routine. Add high intensity interval training (HIIT), to improve your anaerobic tolerance and recovery between intense rallies. Simulate match conditions on the court by engaging in extended baseline rallies, and practice matches that are focused on consistency and long points. Include core exercises, since a strong core is essential for endurance on the court. Be sure to focus on proper nutrition and recovery in order to maintain a high level of performance.
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